RELUCTANCES Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

reluctance

noun

ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s

Definition of reluctance

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of reluctance Walters asks, with a show of reluctance, questions about hillbillies, adolescent development, breast surgeries and her husband — though the singer’s answers are always gracious. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 His massage therapist became concerned and called for medical help despite Curry's reluctance. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 The lack of a unified Democratic agenda, and the president’s usual reluctance to stay on message, has obscured the trend running under everything. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Blackbox soon established that the complainant did not wish to participate, and alleges that 5 was aware of the individual’s reluctance to be the subject of a series based on their experience. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reluctance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctance

Noun

Hafley has talked extensively about his refusal to overwhelm rookies, something that explains his unwillingness to cross-train Proctor.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
James’s obsessive love, his unwillingness to go on without his beloved, is treated as childish, if not a version of sweaty insanity.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of unwillingness

Noun

In Chile, in addition to the geological challenges discussed above, some reticence to invest in copper development may also be due in part to the strength of the country’s lithium sector.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Also in that courtroom that first day is his brother Jack (Noah Centineo), a more visibly restless and outgoing soul compared to Cody’s protective reticence.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of reticence

Noun

Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
That hesitance in the Republican Party coexists with palpable relief that there’s a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East after months of strikes on Iran.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 June 2026

Definition of hesitance

Noun

In most other franchises, a 4-2 road trip through two New York boroughs could calm the speculation, but one with such enormous standards — and that has already taken drastic action — doesn’t receive that benefit of the doubt.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Without a doubt, opponents of the deal will seize on that as evidence of its being exploitative and will demand renegotiation on that basis.

— Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

Culturally, the word is synonymous with ugly, not just for the ways lesbians defy traditional gender roles in the popular imagination but for their disinclination toward and unavailability to men.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
The same disinclination would normally apply.

— Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025

Definition of disinclination

Browse Nearby Words

relucent

reluctance

reluctant

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctance. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of reluctance

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on reluctance

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes