as in unwillingness
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
the mice showed an odd reluctance to eat the cheese we had put out for them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of reluctance
The podcast host had expressed reluctance to invite Trump onto his show, citing concerns about maintaining the program's balance rather than endorsing any particular candidate.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
But fame and success ultimately released any reluctance to speak out, and seemed to loosen his ego as well.
—Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Trump himself hasn’t helped matters, given his firm reluctance over the years to actually disclose his tax returns.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024
Netanyahu’s reluctance to strike a ceasefire deal, even now after securing several military victories, has angered many in Israel.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reluctance 
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
But fame and success ultimately released any reluctance to speak out, and seemed to loosen his ego as well.
—Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Trump himself hasn’t helped matters, given his firm reluctance over the years to actually disclose his tax returns.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024
Netanyahu’s reluctance to strike a ceasefire deal, even now after securing several military victories, has angered many in Israel.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reluctance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctance
Noun
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With that, the hesitancy to stand too close to Stan doesn’t seem to extend to his place the blockbuster realm of Disney’s MCU — at least not yet.Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
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Just five years ago, the company's CFO was open about its hesitancy in getting involved in the crypto space.Lisa Loud, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In person, the actress exudes intellectual intensity and modish English reticence, though there’s a certain mischievous energy, of the kind that defined her early performances, that glimmers in her eyes.Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
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In some respects, Meta’s reticence is just part of a broader cultural shift.Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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His bouts with his command bring some hesitance to fully trust him, but he’s shown signs of positive development.Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 9 July 2024
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In its hesitance to allow women to express negative emotion, House of the Dragon leaves them feeling curiously detached.Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 July 2024
Noun
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But there are some doubts about the accuracy of Ukraine’s reports.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Nov. 2024
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Republican senators also appeared Wednesday to be giving Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, Pete Hegseth, some benefit of the doubt.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Cui said that disinclination is partly because high existing household savings would necessitate a cash infusion of hundreds of billions of dollars to have a notable effect.Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
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Horowitz’s disinclination to pay his bills has inspired complaints over the years, some on legal stationery.Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
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While the women are coming in oozing with persona and charisma, there is still a sense of hesitation in trying to mark their territory.Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
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In new partnerships, there’s often a sense of hesitation as both sides gauge each other’s commitment.Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near reluctance
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctance. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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