Ministers have shown extreme reluctance to explain their position to the media.
Synonyms: unwillingness, dislike, loathing, distaste More Synonyms of reluctant
reluctant in British English
(rɪˈlʌktənt)
adjective
1.
not eager; unwilling; disinclined
2. archaic
offering resistance or opposition
Derived forms
reluctantly (reˈluctantly)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Latin reluctārī to resist; see reluct
reluctant in American English
(rɪˈlʌktənt)
adjective
1.
opposed in mind (to do something); unwilling; disinclined
2.
marked by unwillingness
a reluctant answer
3. Rare
struggling against; resisting; opposing
SYNONYMY NOTE: reluctant implies an unwillingness to do something, as because of distaste, irresolution, etc.[I was reluctant to join]; disinclined suggests a lack of desire for something, as because it fails to suit one's tasteor because one disapproves of it [I feel disinclined to argue]; hesitant implies a refraining from action, as because of fear, indecision, etc. [don't be hesitant about asking this favor]; loath suggests strong disinclination or a decided unwillingness [I am loath to depart]; averse suggests a sustained, although not extreme, disinclination [not averse to borrowing money]
OPPOSITES: inclined, disposed, eager
Derived forms
reluctantly (reˈluctantly)
adverb
Word origin
L reluctans, prp. of reluctari, to resist < re-, against + luctari, to struggle: see lock1
Examples of 'reluctant' in a sentence
reluctant
He has always been a lot less reluctant than people think to take on more work.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
One mum said her son was reluctant to talk about the task.
The Sun (2016)
He has always been a lot less reluctant than people think to take on more work andthis phase of his life.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Given that he had found safety, he was reluctant to take his chances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I am reluctant to give up on this relationship.
The Sun (2016)
You may be reluctant to join a sociable dance class at first, but it could lead to a love meeting.
The Sun (2016)
For years, the top brands have been reluctant to give him their best lines for fear they will be aggressively discounted or displayed in shabby environments.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Once people have the cash in their hand, or know it is already in their bank account, they are more reluctant to let go of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The police will be reluctant to get involved.
The Sun (2008)
Many savers are reluctant to give up the security of cash.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The perceived link with body odour means that sufferers may be reluctant to seek help.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can also get the most reluctant people to share the work at home.
The Sun (2007)
They will be reluctant to let go of the extra battalion.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The governor is not reluctant to take credit where possible.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The police are reluctant to talk about witness evidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The police appeared reluctant to take on such a large number of protesters.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Many head teachers and school governors will be reluctant to give ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
If she has had unpleasant handling or unsuccessful treatment she may be reluctant to try again.
Wilkinson, Helena Beyond Chaotic Eating (1993)
Some people might be reluctant to interact with me.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Like many of his generation he was reluctant to talk about his wartime service.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
No wonder the police were reluctant to advertise their failing.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He seemed reluctant to give the envelope up.
Alexander Masters STUART: A Life Backwards (2005)
No wonder many people are reluctant to go to mainstream physicians.
Siegel, Bernie S. (MD) Love, Medicine and Miracles (1990)
But successful and powerful incumbents are notoriously reluctant to let go.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But she is reluctant to talk it up.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He admitted to being reluctant to confront police or risk violence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Many disabled people are still reluctant to report antisocial behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
People may also be reluctant to join a union for fear that it will damage their job prospects.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It seemed to confirm the suspicion that he is more reluctant to take on public engagements than she is.
The Sun (2012)
They have different jobs now, jobs they are reluctant to give up.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
If others remain reluctant, you may have to go it on your own.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Venice, which was not alone in this, was reluctant to take sides.
Jonathan Wright Ambassadors: From Ancient Greece to the Nation State (2006)
In other languages
reluctant
British English: reluctant /rɪˈlʌktənt/ ADJECTIVE
If you are reluctant to do something, you do not really want to do it.
He was reluctant to ask for help.
American English: reluctant
Arabic: مـُمَانِع
Brazilian Portuguese: relutante
Chinese: 勉强的
Croatian: nesklon
Czech: neochotný
Danish: modvillig
Dutch: onwillig
European Spanish: reacio
Finnish: vastahakoinen
French: réticent
German: widerwillig
Greek: απρόθυμος
Italian: riluttante
Japanese: いやいやながらの
Korean: 마음이 내키지 않는
Norwegian: motvillig
Polish: niechętny
European Portuguese: relutante
Romanian: reticent
Russian: неохотный
Latin American Spanish: reacio
Swedish: motvillig
Thai: ไม่เต็มใจ
Turkish: gönülsüz
Ukrainian: неохочий
Vietnamese: miễn cưỡng
Chinese translation of 'reluctant'
reluctant
(rɪˈlʌktənt)
adj
(= unwilling) 不情愿(願)的 (bù qíngyuàn de)
to be reluctant to do sth不愿(願)做某事 (bùyuàn zuò mǒushì)
(adjective)
Definition
unwilling or disinclined
He was reluctant to ask for help.
Synonyms
unwilling
Initially the government was unwilling to accept the defeat.
slow
He was not slow to take up the offer.
backward
grudging
He even earned his opponent's grudging respect.
hesitant
I was hesitant about accepting the invitation.
averse
He's not averse to publicity.
recalcitrant
loath
She is loath to give up her hard-earned liberty.
disinclined
He was disinclined to talk about himself.
unenthusiastic
She came across as being unenthusiastic about green issues.
indisposed
He seemed indisposed to chat.
Opposites
willing
,
keen
,
eager
,
enthusiastic
,
inclined
Usage note
Reticent is quite commonly used nowadays as a synonym of reluctant and followed by to and a verb. In careful writing it is advisable to avoid this use, since many people would regard it as mistaken.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of averse
Definition
opposed
He's not averse to publicity.
Synonyms
opposed,
reluctant,
hostile,
unwilling,
backward,
unfavourable,
loath,
disinclined,
inimical,
indisposed,
antipathetic,
ill-disposed
in the sense of backward
Definition
reluctant or bashful
Synonyms
shy,
late,
reluctant,
hesitating,
unwilling,
sluggish,
wavering,
diffident,
bashful,
tardy
in the sense of disinclined
Definition
unwilling or reluctant
He was disinclined to talk about himself.
Synonyms
reluctant,
unwilling,
averse,
opposed,
resistant,
hesitant,
balking,
loath,
not in the mood,
indisposed,
antipathetic
Synonyms of 'reluctant'
reluctant
Explore 'reluctant' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of grudging
Definition
felt or done unwillingly
He even earned his opponent's grudging respect.
Synonyms
reluctant,
unwilling,
hesitant,
unenthusiastic,
half-hearted
in the sense of hesitant
Definition
doubtful and unsure in speech or action
I was hesitant about accepting the invitation.
Synonyms
uncertain,
reluctant,
shy,
halting,
doubtful,
sceptical,
unsure,
hesitating,
wavering,
timid,
diffident,
lacking confidence,
vacillating,
hanging back,
irresolute,
half-arsed (British, slang),
half-assed (US, Canadian, slang),
half-hearted
in the sense of indisposed
Definition
unwilling
He seemed indisposed to chat.
Synonyms
unwilling,
reluctant,
loath,
disinclined,
averse
in the sense of loath
Definition
reluctant or unwilling
She is loath to give up her hard-earned liberty.
Synonyms
unwilling,
against,
opposed,
counter,
resisting,
reluctant,
backward,
averse,
disinclined,
indisposed
in the sense of slow
Definition
not easily aroused
He was not slow to take up the offer.
Synonyms
unwilling,
reluctant,
loath,
averse,
hesitant,
disinclined,
indisposed
in the sense of unenthusiastic
Definition
not keen about or interested in (something)
She came across as being unenthusiastic about green issues.