RELUCTANTLY Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

reluctantly

adverb

Definition of reluctantly

as in hesitantly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of reluctantly Manco only reluctantly starts carrying a gun after his first robbery, concerned that doing so would only lead to more violence. — Elena Lazic, Variety, 26 June 2026 But the semiaquatic rodents are only reluctantly domesticated. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 June 2026 With memory supply scarce and pricey, consumer electronics companies have spent the past six months pulling various levers to manage the situation, from reconfiguring product SKUs in order to reduce the bill of materials to reluctantly hiking prices. — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 June 2026 Elizabeth Stanziano reluctantly visited Norfolk, Virginia's Sail 250 festival after her mother raved for weeks about seeing the tall ships during the Bicentennial. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reluctantly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctantly

Adverb

The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.

— Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Only the bravest walked hesitantly toward the well.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026

Definition of hesitantly

Adverb

Two years after his death, and even longer since Missing Richard Simmons forced him unwillingly into the public eye, Diane Sawyer is trying to get to the bottom of why the fitness guru hid inside his house for a decade.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 May 2026
The Ada County Highway District is a gubernatorial signature away from unwillingly adopting a countywide, partisan vote after the Legislature passed an 11th-hour bill to overhaul how the district’s board is elected.

— Mark Dee April 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of unwillingly

Browse Nearby Words

reluctant

reluctantly

rely

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“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctantly. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of reluctantly

adverb

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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