What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unwilling
Example
She was unwilling to participate in the group project. [unwilling: adjective]
Example
He was unwilling to compromise on the terms of the agreement. [unwilling: adjective]
reluctance
Example
She expressed her reluctance to attend the party. [reluctance: noun]
Example
He showed reluctance to take on the new project. [reluctance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unwilling and reluctance are both common words in English, but unwilling is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unwilling and reluctance?
Both unwilling and reluctance are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional settings.
