reluctantly

adverb

re·luc·tant·ly ri-ˈlək-tənt-lē

Synonyms of reluctantly

: in a reluctant manner : with aversion or hesitation

The quiet resolution in his voice penetrated her racing thoughts. Reluctantly she gave him a corner of her attention.—Elizabeth George Speare

He is about to release 'Thriller,' and today he's agreed, reluctantly, to sit for the Rolling Stone cover.—Gerri Hirshey

Kirsti had gone to bed reluctantly, complaining that she wanted to stay up with the others, that she was grownup enough, … that it wasn't fair.—Lois Lowry

Examples of reluctantly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

While Brian rides off to war, Ellen reluctantly returns to Castle Leoch, only to find her brothers, Colum and Dougal (Sam Retford), locked in a bitter feud over how to answer the call to arms. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 Talwani, nominated to the bench by former President Obama, reluctantly removed the second injunction shortly after. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Season 1 of the mystery comedy, inspired by the 1989 horror-comedy film of the same name and set in present-day suburbia, follows a young couple who have reluctantly relocated to the husband’s childhood home. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026 Ellen reluctantly returns to Castle Leoch to find her brothers, Colum and Dougal, feuding over how to respond to the call to arms. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reluctantly

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of reluctantly was in 1646

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

reluctant dragon

reluctantly

reluctate

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctantly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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reluctantly

adverb

Examples of reluctantly in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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