reluctantly

adverb

re·​luc·​tant·​ly ri-ˈlək-tənt-lē How to pronounce reluctantly (audio)
: in a reluctant manner : with aversion or hesitation
The quiet resolution in his voice penetrated her racing thoughts. Reluctantly she gave him a corner of her attention.Elizabeth George Speare
He is about to release 'Thriller,' and today he's agreed, reluctantly, to sit for the Rolling Stone cover.Gerri Hirshey
Kirsti had gone to bed reluctantly, complaining that she wanted to stay up with the others, that she was grownup enough, … that it wasn't fair.Lois Lowry

Examples of reluctantly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Procter & Gamble put up a spirited defense to Mr. Peltz’s proxy campaign but, after a narrow loss, reluctantly welcomed Mr. Peltz into the boardroom in 2017. Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Although Magda reluctantly welcomes the guests, this unexpected situation creates numerous comedic but also touching moments. Carole Horst, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Larry ends up using the information to force her to break up with him (Larry had been reluctantly staying in a relationship with Irma to not rock her new sobriety). Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 As more boomers reach retirement age, many are facing the stark reality of insufficient savings—and turning, oftentimes reluctantly, to their adult children for support. Jasmine Li, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 The woman allegedly saw a handgun when entering the home and reluctantly agreed to change. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The Obama administration reluctantly supported them, worrying that it would be pulled into an unwinnable proxy war against Iran. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024 Emily Warren Roebling, the wife of the Brooklyn Bridge’s chief engineer who reluctantly steps into his role when he’s paralyzed during the bridge’s construction, becoming the world’s first female engineer. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Affleck plays the role of the reluctantly supportive husband well. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reluctantly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reluctantly was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near reluctantly

Cite this Entry

“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctantly. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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