reluctant Definition
unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.
Using reluctant: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "reluctant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was reluctant to ask for help.
Example
She was reluctant to leave her job.
Example
The company was reluctant to invest in new technology.
Example
The dog was reluctant to enter the water.
reluctant Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for reluctant
Antonyms for reluctant
Phrases with reluctant
Example
I'm reluctant to take on more work right now.
Example
He became a reluctant hero after saving the child from the burning building.
Example
After much discussion, they came to a reluctant agreement to compromise.
Origins of reluctant
from Latin 're-' meaning 'back' + 'luctari' meaning 'to struggle'
Summary: reluctant in Brief
The term 'reluctant' [rɪˈlʌktənt] describes a state of being unwilling or hesitant. It can be used to describe people, companies, or animals, as in 'The dog was reluctant to enter the water.' The phrase 'be reluctant to do something' is commonly used to express hesitation or unwillingness, while 'a reluctant hero' refers to someone who is forced into a heroic role. 'Reluctant agreement' describes an agreement given unwillingly or hesitantly.