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Synonyms for reluctance

Grammar : Noun
Spell : ri-luhk-tuh ns
Phonetic Transcription : rɪˈlʌk təns


Définition of reluctance

Origin :
  • 1640s, "act of struggling against," from obsolete verb reluct "to struggle or rebel against" (1520s), from Latin reluctari "to struggle against, resist, make opposition," from re- "against" (see re-) + luctari "to struggle, wrestle," perhaps shares a common origin with Greek lygos "pliant twig," lygizein "to bend, twist," Old English locc "twist of hair" (see lock (n.2)). Meaning "unwillingness" is first attested 1660s. Related: Reluctancy (1620s.).
  • noun disinclination
Example sentences :
  • Our reluctance for conflict should not be misjudged as a failure of will.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • Therefore my reluctance to be driven from my place of usefulness.
  • Extract from : « Biography of a Slave » by Charles Thompson
  • Only, the cruelty must be whitewashed by a moral excuse, and a pretence of reluctance.
  • Extract from : « A Treatise on Parents and Children » by George Bernard Shaw
  • He felt vaguely that his reluctance did him credit, and that he was improving.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • In this strategy Winkleman with reluctance admired the white man's hands.
  • Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
  • Surely, it was not because of any reluctance to separate from Martin.
  • Extract from : « Dust » by Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
  • But the shack filled with his disapproval of her reluctance to free him from his promise.
  • Extract from : « Dust » by Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
  • But Jason, by this time, had grown ashamed of his reluctance to help her.
  • Extract from : « Tanglewood Tales » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • “Far from it,” confessed the other, with a reluctance which seemed to twist his mouth dolorously.
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • I consented to go, with some reluctance; but, on the whole, thought it was the best thing I could do.
  • Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019