noun

reluctance

rih-LUK-tuns/rɪˈlʌktəns/

Unwillingness or hesitation to do something.

The person's reluctance shows in a half-raised hand and hesitant stance before the lectern.

An adult hesitates before volunteering at a small lectern, feet held back and hand half-raised, showing unwillingness despite opportunity; one adult only.

Etymology

reLatinagainst

+luctLatinto struggle, wrestle

+anceEnglishaction or state

“Against” and “wrestle” evoke active resistance: reluctance originally meant an act of struggling against something. The later sense shifts the emphasis to an attitude of unwillingness, which can appear simply as hesitation.

In context

The Best Seat in History20:38

Life is something handed to you again and again by someone who happens to have an endless supply of it and no reluctance about sharing.

You've Been Wrong About Temptation (The Bible Explains Why)

More examples

I understand your reluctance to lend him money again.
With some reluctance, she agrees to share her notes.
The children show no reluctance to try unfamiliar foods.

Forms

reluctant adjective — Unwilling or hesitant to do something.

reluctantly adverb — In an unwilling or hesitant way.

Similar words

hesitation: Emphasizes pausing through uncertainty rather than not wanting to act.
unwillingness: More directly expresses not wanting to do something.
resistance: Suggests more active opposition rather than simple hesitation.