Reluctant
adjective
Being hesitant or unwilling to do something.
He was reluctant to spend the money on a new car.
Often appears as...
- reluctant to
- reluctant participant
adjective
Showing hesitation or unwillingness because you fear the result.
They were reluctant to make a statement about the incident.
Often appears as...
- reluctantly admit
- reluctant acceptance
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Not ready or quick to act or respond.
The mechanism is reluctant to start when it's cold.
Often appears as...
- reluctant engine
- reluctant reaction
Usage tips
Disapproving
Technical
adjective
Being hesitant or unwilling to do something.
He was reluctant to spend the money on a new car.
Often appears as...
- reluctant to
- reluctant participant
adjective
Showing hesitation or unwillingness because you fear the result.
They were reluctant to make a statement about the incident.
Often appears as...
- reluctantly admit
- reluctant acceptance
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Not ready or quick to act or respond.
The mechanism is reluctant to start when it's cold.
Often appears as...
- reluctant engine
- reluctant reaction
Usage tips
Disapproving
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Reluctant can carry an emotional tone, implying a struggle between desire and duty.
She was reluctant to leave the family gathering early.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Negative
'Reluctant' doesn't mean refusal but indicates some resistance or doubt.
He reluctantly agreed to help, despite his busy schedule.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Pressure
It may suggest a presence of external pressure or persuasion to act.
Reluctant to disappoint her parents, she attended the ceremony.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Reluctant can carry an emotional tone, implying a struggle between desire and duty.
She was reluctant to leave the family gathering early.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Negative
'Reluctant' doesn't mean refusal but indicates some resistance or doubt.
He reluctantly agreed to help, despite his busy schedule.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Pressure
It may suggest a presence of external pressure or persuasion to act.
Reluctant to disappoint her parents, she attended the ceremony.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Reluctant can carry an emotional tone, implying a struggle between desire and duty.
She was reluctant to leave the family gathering early.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Negative
'Reluctant' doesn't mean refusal but indicates some resistance or doubt.
He reluctantly agreed to help, despite his busy schedule.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Pressure
It may suggest a presence of external pressure or persuasion to act.
Reluctant to disappoint her parents, she attended the ceremony.
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Video examples
The Strange Tail of...
bones and he said oh i sold these to an italian man suddenly it seemed much more likely that this was the man who had found the partial spinosaurus that now lay in the basement of the italian museum nazar asked the man to show him where he'd found the fossil but the mustache man was reluctant he didn't think there were any more bones
Video examples
How exposing anonymous...
as governments that profit from registering anonymous companies are reluctant to lose business. And some of the most popular places for this practice are located not on remote, tropical tax shelters, but within the same advanced nations which claim to be leading the fight for global financial transparency.
Video examples
The way we think about...
and your character is called into question. So nonprofits are really reluctant to attempt any brave, daring, giant-scale new fundraising endeavors, for fear that if the thing fails, their reputations will be dragged through the mud. Well, you and I know when you prohibit failure, you kill innovation.
Video examples
Why are we so attached...
were somehow imbued with the essence of their former celebrity owners. For similar reasons, many of us are reluctant to part with family heirlooms which help us feel connected to lost loved ones. These beliefs can even alter our perception of the physical world and change our athletic abilities.
Video examples
Can you solve the...
After much pressure from human rights groups, the dictator reluctantly agrees to let you visit the island and speak to the prisoners under the following you may only make one statement, and you cannot tell them any new information. What can you say to help free the prisoners
Video examples
Adorable Baby Animal...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Baby Ferret Training...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Caring for maternal...
outside of their home in a remote community in the highlands with her husband's encouragement she delivered their seventh child in a new clinic nearby mama had been reluctant to do so for many reasons she had delivered all
Video examples
The tale of the boy who...
Reluctantly, the youth knocked on the rotting door. The devil’s grandmother answered his call. She was known to help some visiting souls, and harm others.
Video examples
A Collection Of Spring...
reluctantly the chicks take a few nervous steps towards the edge encouraged by a gentle nudge
Video examples
The Strange Tail of...
bones and he said oh i sold these to an italian man suddenly it seemed much more likely that this was the man who had found the partial spinosaurus that now lay in the basement of the italian museum nazar asked the man to show him where he'd found the fossil but the mustache man was reluctant he didn't think there were any more bones
Video examples
How exposing anonymous...
as governments that profit from registering anonymous companies are reluctant to lose business. And some of the most popular places for this practice are located not on remote, tropical tax shelters, but within the same advanced nations which claim to be leading the fight for global financial transparency.
Video examples
The way we think about...
and your character is called into question. So nonprofits are really reluctant to attempt any brave, daring, giant-scale new fundraising endeavors, for fear that if the thing fails, their reputations will be dragged through the mud. Well, you and I know when you prohibit failure, you kill innovation.
Video examples
Why are we so attached...
were somehow imbued with the essence of their former celebrity owners. For similar reasons, many of us are reluctant to part with family heirlooms which help us feel connected to lost loved ones. These beliefs can even alter our perception of the physical world and change our athletic abilities.
Video examples
Can you solve the...
After much pressure from human rights groups, the dictator reluctantly agrees to let you visit the island and speak to the prisoners under the following you may only make one statement, and you cannot tell them any new information. What can you say to help free the prisoners
Video examples
Adorable Baby Animal...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Baby Ferret Training...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Caring for maternal...
outside of their home in a remote community in the highlands with her husband's encouragement she delivered their seventh child in a new clinic nearby mama had been reluctant to do so for many reasons she had delivered all
Video examples
The tale of the boy who...
Reluctantly, the youth knocked on the rotting door. The devil’s grandmother answered his call. She was known to help some visiting souls, and harm others.
Video examples
A Collection Of Spring...
reluctantly the chicks take a few nervous steps towards the edge encouraged by a gentle nudge
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Brian Eno
British Musician
With recording, everything changed. The prospect of music being detachable from time and place meant that one could start to think of music as a part of one's furniture. It's an idea that many composers have felt reluctant about because it seemed to them to diminish the importance of music.
Quote examples
Madonna Ciccone
American Musician
You realise that having a number one record and being loved and adored isn't the most important thing in the world. But at the same time, I don't have a problem with it. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not a reluctant pop star.
Quote examples
James Patterson
American Author
There are terrific models for success with reluctant readers, but many school systems and state governments need to set aside their 'not invented here' and 'we have more important problems than education' attitudes.
Quote examples
Oliver Sykes
English Musician
But I can't stress enough how much talking helps. I was so reluctant at first; I didn't think it would help. But even if there's no answer to your troubles, they will seem so much smaller once they leave your head.
Quote examples
Patrick Lencioni
American Writer
What's amazing is that so many leaders who value teamwork will tolerate people who aren't humble. They reluctantly hire self-centred people and then justify it because those people have desired skills.
Quote examples
Corazon Aquino
Statesman
You have spent many lives and much treasure to bring freedom to many lands that were reluctant to receive it. And here you have a people who won it by themselves and need only the help to preserve it.
Quote examples
Laura Marling
English Musician
I'm reluctantly interested in love and helplessly interested in logic and yet they're so conflicting. And they're both necessary for a happy balance, a happy existence... I think.
Quote examples
Lyle Lovett
American Musician
It's difficult to get started-when it comes to dealing with an unknown quantity, people are reluctant to trust their own opinion. It helps if two or three people give you a boost.
Quote examples
Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher
It is not when truth is dirty, but when it is shallow, that the lover of knowledge is reluctant to step into its waters.
Quote examples
Stewart Udall
American Politician
Federal judges are just very reluctant to stick the government with responsibility.
Quote examples
Brian Eno
British Musician
With recording, everything changed. The prospect of music being detachable from time and place meant that one could start to think of music as a part of one's furniture. It's an idea that many composers have felt reluctant about because it seemed to them to diminish the importance of music.
Quote examples
Madonna Ciccone
American Musician
You realise that having a number one record and being loved and adored isn't the most important thing in the world. But at the same time, I don't have a problem with it. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not a reluctant pop star.
Quote examples
James Patterson
American Author
There are terrific models for success with reluctant readers, but many school systems and state governments need to set aside their 'not invented here' and 'we have more important problems than education' attitudes.
Quote examples
Oliver Sykes
English Musician
But I can't stress enough how much talking helps. I was so reluctant at first; I didn't think it would help. But even if there's no answer to your troubles, they will seem so much smaller once they leave your head.
Quote examples
Patrick Lencioni
American Writer
What's amazing is that so many leaders who value teamwork will tolerate people who aren't humble. They reluctantly hire self-centred people and then justify it because those people have desired skills.
Quote examples
Corazon Aquino
Statesman
You have spent many lives and much treasure to bring freedom to many lands that were reluctant to receive it. And here you have a people who won it by themselves and need only the help to preserve it.
Quote examples
Laura Marling
English Musician
I'm reluctantly interested in love and helplessly interested in logic and yet they're so conflicting. And they're both necessary for a happy balance, a happy existence... I think.
Quote examples
Lyle Lovett
American Musician
It's difficult to get started-when it comes to dealing with an unknown quantity, people are reluctant to trust their own opinion. It helps if two or three people give you a boost.
Quote examples
Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher
It is not when truth is dirty, but when it is shallow, that the lover of knowledge is reluctant to step into its waters.
Quote examples
Stewart Udall
American Politician
Federal judges are just very reluctant to stick the government with responsibility.
Example 1 of 10
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