Definitions
- Describing a situation where someone is hesitant to do something but eventually agrees to it. - Referring to a feeling of unease or discomfort about doing something, but ultimately doing it anyway. - Talking about a person who is willing to do something, but only after expressing their reluctance or hesitation.
- Referring to a situation where someone is not willing to do something and expresses their unwillingness. - Describing a feeling of resistance or opposition to doing something. - Talking about a person who is forced to do something against their will.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a lack of enthusiasm or willingness to do something.
- 2Both words convey a sense of resistance or opposition.
- 3Both words are adverbs that modify verbs.
What is the difference?
- 1Degree of reluctance: Reluctantly implies a lesser degree of unwillingness than unwillingly, which suggests a stronger resistance.
- 2Volition: Reluctantly suggests that the person has some choice in the matter, while unwillingly implies that the person is being forced to do something.
- 3Tone: Reluctantly has a more neutral or even slightly positive connotation, while unwillingly has a negative connotation.
- 4Usage: Reluctantly is more commonly used in everyday language, while unwillingly is less common and tends to be used in more formal contexts.
Remember this!
Reluctantly and unwillingly are synonyms that describe a lack of enthusiasm or willingness to do something. However, reluctantly implies a lesser degree of unwillingness and suggests that the person has some choice in the matter, while unwillingly implies a stronger resistance and suggests that the person is being forced to do something.
