Reluctant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ri-ˈlək-tənt/ re·luc·tant

Meaning & Definition of Reluctant

Reluctant (adjective)

  1. feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness; also, having or assuming a specified role unwillingly

Reluctant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty

    "I'm reluctant to let you borrow my vintage CDs since you never give back anything I lend you"

    similar: cagey, disinclined, dubious, hesitant, indisposed, loath, reticent
    related: uneager, unenthusiastic, averse, unwilling, ambivalent, conflicted, doubtful, faltering, halting, indecisive, infirm, irresolute, questioning, skeptical, uncertain, undecided, unsure, vacillating, wobbly, fainthearted, shy, timid
    opposite: disposed, inclined
    near: eager, enthusiastic, glad, happy, keen, ready, willing, certain, decided, determined, resolute, sure, unquestioning

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reluctant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reluctant:

cagey, disinclined, dubious, hesitant, indisposed, loath, reticent

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Reluctant

Words with the opposite meaning of Reluctant:

disposed, inclined

Related Words for Reluctant

uneager, unenthusiastic, averse, unwilling, ambivalent, conflicted, doubtful, faltering, halting, indecisive, infirm, irresolute, questioning, skeptical, uncertain, undecided, unsure, vacillating, wobbly, fainthearted, shy, timid

Near Antonyms of Reluctant

eager, enthusiastic, glad, happy, keen, ready, willing, certain, decided, determined, resolute, sure, unquestioning

Origin & Etymology of Reluctant

Latin reluctant-, reluctans, present participle of reluctari to struggle against, from re- + luctari to struggle

First known use: 1638

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Reluctant

Frequently Asked Questions about Reluctant

What does "Reluctant" mean?

"Reluctant" means feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness; also, having or assuming a specified role unwillingly. As an adjective, it is defined as: feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness; also, having or assuming a specified role unwillingly.

What is another word for "Reluctant"?

Other words for "Reluctant" include cagey, disinclined, dubious, hesitant, indisposed, loath and reticent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reluctant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reluctant"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reluctant". Common alternatives include cagey, disinclined, dubious, hesitant, indisposed, loath and reticent.

What is the opposite of "Reluctant"?

Antonyms of "Reluctant" include disposed and inclined. Near antonyms include eager, enthusiastic, glad and happy.

How do you use "Reluctant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reluctant" in a sentence: "I'm reluctant to let you borrow my vintage CDs since you never give back anything I lend you".

Is "Reluctant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reluctant" is an adjective.

Is "Reluctant" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Reluctant"?

"Reluctant" is pronounced /ri-ˈlək-tənt/ and divided into syllables as re·luc·tant.