reluctant
6 synonyms and 5 antonyms for reluctant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unwilling to do something; hesitant or resistant to taking an action.
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 reluctant
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
reluctant to admit
reluctant to leave
somewhat reluctant
reluctantly agreed
Etymology
From Latin reluctans, "struggling against" — from re- ("back") + luctari ("to struggle").
Full origin of reluctant →Frequently asked questions
What does “reluctant” mean?
The word “reluctant” means unwilling to do something; hesitant or resistant to taking an action. In plain terms, not wanting to do something, and showing it through hesitation.
How do you pronounce “reluctant”?
“Reluctant” is pronounced rih-LUHK-tuhnt (/ɹɪˈlʌktənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “reluctant” in a sentence?
Here is “reluctant” used in a sentence: “She was reluctant to sign the contract without reading it first.”
What part of speech is “reluctant”?
“Reluctant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “reluctant” come from?
The word “reluctant” comes from Latin. From Latin reluctans, "struggling against" — from re- ("back") + luctari ("to struggle").
Is “reluctant” a common word?
“Reluctant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between reluctant and hesitant?
Reluctant describes an unwillingness to do something, often because of a negative feeling toward the action itself. Hesitant describes pausing or delaying before acting, often due to uncertainty or doubt rather than outright unwillingness. Someone can be hesitant simply from lack of confidence, while reluctance implies a degree of resistance.
What is the difference between reluctant and reticent?
Reluctant means unwilling to take an action, such as being reluctant to speak up. Reticent means unwilling to share information or talk about something, closer to being reserved or tight-lipped. The two are sometimes confused, but reticent applies specifically to speech or disclosure while reluctant applies to actions generally.
What preposition or verb form follows reluctant?
Reluctant is typically followed by a to-infinitive, as in "reluctant to leave" or "reluctant to agree." It can also be followed by "about," as in "reluctant about the decision."
