re ‧ luc ‧ tant AC /rɪˈlʌktənt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ reluctance ; adverb : ↑ reluctantly ; adjective : ↑ reluctant ]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: present participle of reluctari 'to fight against' ]
slow and unwilling OPP willing :
She gave a reluctant smile.
reluctant to do something
Maddox was reluctant to talk about it.
—reluctantly adverb :
Reluctantly, he agreed.
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THESAURUS
▪ unwilling/not willing not wanting to do something and refusing to do it:
She's unwilling to admit that she was wrong.
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Stuart was an unwilling participant in the shooting.
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Put away any toys the child is not willing to share, to avoid any problems.
▪ reluctant not willing to do something, although you may be persuaded after a while. Also used when someone does something after at first being unwilling to do it:
He was reluctant to talk about his childhood.
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She gave a reluctant smile.
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the government's reluctant agreement to hold talks
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a reluctant hero
▪ grudging given unwillingly – used about admiration, respect, support, or an apology:
He gave her a grudging apology.
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He could not help feeling a grudging admiration for the old lady.
▪ be loath to do something to not want to do something, especially something that you might have to do – a rather formal use:
He has more staff than he needs, but he is loath to get rid of good people.