What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reluctance
Example
She showed reluctance to join the party. [reluctance: noun]
Example
He was reluctant to speak in public. [reluctant: adjective]
resistance
Example
The army faced strong resistance from the enemy. [resistance: noun]
Example
She resisted the temptation to eat the cake. [resisted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Resistance is more commonly used than reluctance in everyday language. Resistance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while reluctance is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reluctance and resistance?
Both reluctance and resistance can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, resistance can have a more confrontational or rebellious connotation, which may make it less appropriate for very formal situations.
