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
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In addition, two thirds of workers would not work for an employer that does not take DEI seriously, or would only do so reluctantly. Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Wilson co-stars as Ben, a medical courier whom Ritchson’s character must reluctantly protect. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025 Punk had to dispatch Drew McIntyre and reluctantly give a helping hand to Reigns before the long-building match with Rollins took place. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 The trio reluctantly decide to split up and let Pete go off on his own to find water. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reluctantly

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reluctantly was in 1646

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Cite this Entry

“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctantly. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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