Meaning & use

reluctantly

adverb·Academic

In a way that shows unwillingness or hesitation to do something.

See it in a sentence

He reluctantly agreed to give the presentation after no one else volunteered.

She reluctantly handed over her phone at airport security, worried about losing it.

A note on using this word

Reluctantly suggests the action is still carried out, just without enthusiasm, unlike 'refuse,' which means the action does not happen at all.

Words with a similar meaning

unwillinglyhesitantlygrudgingly

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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