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
Charles in turn has his X-Men: Storm (Halle Berry), Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), and Cyclops (James Marsden), eventually adding a reluctant Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to their ranks.
—
ArsTechnica, 20 July 2025
Jamie Barrington, Shirley Weatherley’s son, was reluctant at first to speak publicly about his mother’s death in Texas, even years later.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 16 July 2025
In the episode, Seth Rogen’s fictional executive Matt Remick is reluctant to give Howard a harsh note on his film that Remick’s Continental Studios is producing given the director’s legendary status in Hollywood.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
But some Parisians are still reluctant to take the plunge.
—Kinsey Gidick, AFAR Media, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
ArsTechnica, 20 July 2025
Jamie Barrington, Shirley Weatherley’s son, was reluctant at first to speak publicly about his mother’s death in Texas, even years later.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 16 July 2025
In the episode, Seth Rogen’s fictional executive Matt Remick is reluctant to give Howard a harsh note on his film that Remick’s Continental Studios is producing given the director’s legendary status in Hollywood.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
But some Parisians are still reluctant to take the plunge.
—Kinsey Gidick, AFAR Media, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctant
hesitant
Adjective
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Florida dominates the list of America’s most distressed housing markets, facing a toxic cocktail of oversupply, climate risk, and rising insurance premiums that have made even enthusiastic buyers hesitant to commit.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
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This limited series will have you a little more hesitant to book your next national park trip.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctant. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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