reluctance
4 synonyms and 4 antonyms for reluctance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Unwillingness or hesitation to do something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use reluctance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
show reluctance
with reluctance
overcome reluctance
Etymology
From reluct (an older verb meaning "to struggle against") plus the noun-forming suffix -ance, ultimately from Latin reluctari, "to struggle against, resist."
Full origin of reluctance →Frequently asked questions
What does “reluctance” mean?
The word “reluctance” means unwillingness or hesitation to do something. In plain terms, a hesitance or unwillingness to do something.
How do you pronounce “reluctance”?
“Reluctance” is pronounced rih-LUHK-tuhns (/ɹɪˈlʌktəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “reluctance” in a sentence?
Here is “reluctance” used in a sentence: “He agreed, but with obvious reluctance.”
What part of speech is “reluctance”?
“Reluctance” is a noun.
Where does the word “reluctance” come from?
The word “reluctance” comes from Latin. From reluct (an older verb meaning "to struggle against") plus the noun-forming suffix -ance, ultimately from Latin reluctari, "to struggle against, resist.".
Is “reluctance” a common word?
“Reluctance” is an uncommon word in modern English.
