Examples of reluctant in a Sentence
94% of the butterflies are females, and they jostle for the attention of the few males, who seem reluctant suitors.
—
Carl Zimmer, Science, 11 May 2001
When I missed five in a row and was reluctant to take the next shot or didn't really follow through, my teammates would yell, "Brick!"
—Bill Bradley, New York Times, 18 Dec. 1994
The man swore sullenly. He went over to a corner and slowly began to put on his coat. He took his hat and went out, with a dragging, reluctant step.
—Stephen Crane, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, 1893
The woman seemed desirous, yet reluctant, to speak, and answered, in low, mysterious tone.
—Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852
We were reluctant to get involved.
He might agree but seems reluctant to admit it.
Carl Zimmer, Science, 11 May 2001
When I missed five in a row and was reluctant to take the next shot or didn't really follow through, my teammates would yell, "Brick!"
—Bill Bradley, New York Times, 18 Dec. 1994
The man swore sullenly. He went over to a corner and slowly began to put on his coat. He took his hat and went out, with a dragging, reluctant step.
—Stephen Crane, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, 1893
The woman seemed desirous, yet reluctant, to speak, and answered, in low, mysterious tone.
—Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852
We were reluctant to get involved.
He might agree but seems reluctant to admit it.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, many homes for seniors were reluctant to accept new residents whose room, board and caregiving costs were being subsidized by Medicaid, records show.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Much of this story will play out on the other side of an ocean, in an America reluctant to regulate firearms.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Qatari and Emirati business leaders have been similarly reluctant.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Both Lilly and Novo Nordisk are betting daily weight-loss pills will be a popular option for consumers who want to avoid a shot or have been reluctant to take weight-loss medication.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
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Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Much of this story will play out on the other side of an ocean, in an America reluctant to regulate firearms.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Qatari and Emirati business leaders have been similarly reluctant.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Both Lilly and Novo Nordisk are betting daily weight-loss pills will be a popular option for consumers who want to avoid a shot or have been reluctant to take weight-loss medication.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctant. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctant
adjective
re·luc·tant
ri-ˈlək-tənt 
: showing doubt or unwillingness
reluctant to answer
reluctantly
adverb
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