as in hesitant
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
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Recent Examples of reluctant
Don't wait to share your estate plans Aging parents may be reluctant to talk about money and death with their adult children.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Henson was cast as Hoggle, one of the film’s most prominent goblins and Sarah’s reluctant ally, while also managing puppeteering responsibilities behind the scenes.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The low rates of the recent past make these homeowners reluctant to sell their properties, depriving the market of inventory.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Consumers have remained reluctant to spend amid an uncertain employment outlook and a prolonged property crisis that has eroded household wealth.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctant
Adjective
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Opposing quarterbacks were hesitant to throw his way, and Hudson allowed only five completions all season (no touchdowns) in 186 snaps of man coverage with three interceptions, six passes defensed and 37 tackles.—
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There probably are owners who are hesitant — right or wrong — to hire him to lead their organizations because of how the entire situation in Miami — his prior head coaching job — played out.—
Adjective
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Of course, the Weeknd has long romanticized his own self-destruction, but here, as the water fills his lungs, death finally loses its glamour—there’s nothing romantic about a man incapable of or unwilling to save himself from drowning.—
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Witnesses may be unavailable or unwilling to speak.—
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctant. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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