reluctant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“For now, the data is still telling us that we should be very reluctant to assume a large decline in growth,” said James Egelhof, chief U.S. economist at BNP Paribas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Thirteen years ago, Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a reluctant decision to allow his negotiators to intensify nuclear talks with America to try to reach a deal.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Like the Fed, Wall Street has been reluctant to make any forecast changes based on the uncertainty of war and oil prices.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Fierce negotiations are expected between the European Parliament and member states, especially over where to find extra money that governments are reluctant to chip in.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

He began shouting again, but the dead wood so muffled the sound that Taran could distinguish nothing of the conversation, which consisted mainly of long outbursts from the dwarf followed by brief and reluctant answers.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander