Definition of: reluctant

(ri·luk′tənt) adjective
1. Disinclined to yield to some requirement; unwilling.
2. Marked by unwillingness or rendered unwillingly.
3. Obs. Struggling; offering opposition. [<L reluctans, -antis, ppr. of reluctari fight back <re- back + luctari fight]
—re·luc′·tant·ly adverb Synonyms: averse, backward, disinclined, indisposed, loath, opposed, slow, unwilling. Reluctant signifies struggling against what one is urged or impelled to do, or is actually doing; averse signifies turned away as with dislike or repugnance; loath signifies having a repugnance, disgust, or loathing for, but the adjective loath is not so strong as the verb loathe. A man may be slow or backward in entering upon that to which he is by no means averse. A man is loath to believe evil of his friend, reluctant to speak of it, absolutely unwilling to use it to his injury. A legislator may be opposed to a certain measure, while not averse to what it aims to accomplish. Compare ANTIPATHY. Antonyms: desirous, disposed, eager, favorable, inclined, willing.