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

The laissez-faire approach of democratic governments, and their reluctance to rein in private companies at home, also plays out on the international stage.

From MIT Technology Review

The court’s reluctance to set rules beyond its opening two-week set of hearings indicates justices are hopeful about returning to in-person arguments.

From Washington Post

For evidence, she cites both his reluctance to end the filibuster and his 2013 vote against Debo Adegbile, an attorney nominated by President Barack Obama to help lead the civil rights division of the Justice Department.

From Washington Post

Still, education possibly remains the single biggest factor in the reluctance of Gen Zers to work as teenagers.

From Ozy

Teacher reluctance is being met with a barrage of pushback from parents who are seeing their children’s academic and social lives atrophy and need child care in order to work.

From Ozy

Bane said this is the real reason for SIGAR reluctance to let the Shadman case go.

From The Daily Beast

For five weeks I forced myself to sit at my house table, figuring that my reluctance was a residue of my introversion.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps his reluctance stems from the fact that he has only tenuous connections to Hungary these days.

From The Daily Beast

And that suggests these attacks were such that the victims were driven to overcome the usual reluctance to file a report.

From The Daily Beast

Though I had some initial reluctance, I am resolved to offer it to patients who might benefit from it.

From The Daily Beast

But it was with sullen reluctance; and mutterings were to be heard, on all sides, that the time would come yet.

From Project Gutenberg

Dread, together with a certain sense of moral reluctance, departed, and she began to enjoy the adventure at last.

From Project Gutenberg

The reluctance to welcome translations is really reluctance to welcome poems which do not find their way to the heart.

From Project Gutenberg

The other acknowledged the fact with some degree of reluctance, and explained, with many "buts" as an excuse in extenuation.

From Project Gutenberg

The fingers which touched Peter's arm brushed his hand, and were withdrawn as though with reluctance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hesitancy
• hesitation
• objection
• unwillingness