Meaning & use
disinclination
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Meaning
nouncountable or uncountableformal
A feeling of not wanting to do something; a lack of willingness or enthusiasm.
Grammar: Can be countable ('a disinclination to help') or uncountable ('showing disinclination'). Often followed by 'to' + infinitive.
Patterns
- disinclination to do something
- a disinclination to do something
- show disinclination
- have a disinclination to do something
His disinclination to attend the meeting was obvious to everyone.
She showed a disinclination to discuss the matter further.
There is a general disinclination among students to take early morning classes.
Word forms
| plural | disinclinations |
|---|
Common combinations
- disinclination to do something
- His disinclination to apologize made the argument worse.
- a disinclination for something
- She has a disinclination for physical exercise.
- show disinclination
- The committee showed disinclination to change the rules.
- a natural disinclination
- He has a natural disinclination to talk about his feelings.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reluctance
- Reluctance is more common and often suggests a slight hesitation; disinclination is more formal and suggests a stronger lack of desire.
- unwillingness
- Unwillingness is a general lack of willingness; disinclination often implies a personal preference against something.
- hesitation
- Hesitation is a pause before acting; disinclination is a lack of desire to act at all.
Opposites
Word family
- disinclined adjective
- Not wanting to do something; unwilling.
- incline verb
- To make someone likely to do something or have a certain opinion.
- inclination noun
- A feeling that you want to do something.
Commonly confused: disinclination or disinclined?
disinclination vs disinclined
Disinclined is an adjective: 'I am disinclined to agree.' Disinclination is the noun: 'my disinclination to agree'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'disinclination' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct pattern is 'a disinclination to do something'. Option 0 uses the wrong preposition ('about' instead of 'to'). Option 2 uses the noun as a verb. Option 3 is nonsense because it repeats the adjective form incorrectly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “disinclination”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.