reluctance

[ ri-luhk-tuhns ]

noun

1. unwillingness; disinclination:

   reluctance to speak in public.

2. Electricity. the resistance to magnetic flux offered by a magnetic circuit, determined by the permeability and arrangement of the materials of the circuit.

reluctance

/ rɪˈlʌktəns /

noun

1. lack of eagerness or willingness; disinclination
2. physics a measure of the resistance of a closed magnetic circuit to a magnetic flux, equal to the ratio of the magnetomotive force to the magnetic flux

Other Words From

• prere·luctance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reluctance¹

First recorded in 1635–45; reluct(ant) + -ance

Example Sentences

There appears to be a reluctance to add additional teams.

From BBC

Dumont added that Piaf showed extreme reluctance when the pair turned up at her flat, but she allowed Dumont to play the song on her piano.

From BBC

One significant element of this failure is a reluctance to understand or recognize that today’s Republican Party is more of a front organization than a traditional political party.

From Salon

Also well-known for his close ties to Moscow, his reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia and to provide self-defence weapons to Ukraine.

From BBC

But fame and success ultimately released any reluctance to speak out, and seemed to loosen his ego as well.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hesitancy
• hesitation
• objection
• unwillingness