reluctantly

reluctantly — adverb

1. doing something slowly or with hesitation because, although you feel you must do

1.adverbC1
Definition

doing something slowly or with hesitation because, although you feel you must do it, you would prefer not to

Example

Saira reluctantly agreed to help her younger brother study for his exam.

reluctantly + agreed to [decision verb]

After weeks of debate, the committee reluctantly approved the new policy.

reluctantly + approved [formal decision verb]

Common collocations
  • reluctantly agreed
  • reluctantly approved
  • reluctantly accepted
  • reluctantly admitted
  • reluctantly handed over
  • reluctantly gave up
Synonyms
  • unwillingly

    more direct and stronger; emphasizes a clear refusal of will rather than hesitant compliance

  • grudgingly

    adds a tone of resentment or bitterness alongside the unwillingness

  • hesitantly

    focuses on uncertainty or doubt, not necessarily opposition — the person is unsure rather than unwilling

Antonyms
  • willingly

    the person wants to do it without being pushed

  • eagerly

    the person is excited or keen to do it

  • readily

    without any hesitation or objection

Grammar Patterns

reluctantly + verb

reluctantly at start of clause

Usage Note

Typically placed before the verb it modifies ('she reluctantly agreed'), but also common at the start of a sentence ('Reluctantly, he signed the form'). Conveys internal resistance — the person acts against their wishes due to external pressure or obligation, not uncertainty.

Common Mistakes

I reluctantly knocked on the door, unsure if anyone was home.
I hesitantly knocked on the door, unsure if anyone was home.
'hesitantly' fits doubt or uncertainty; 'reluctantly' fits unwillingness caused by pressure or obligation.
She was reluctantly to attend the meeting.
She was reluctant to attend the meeting.
'reluctantly' is an adverb, not an adjective. Use 'reluctant' after linking verbs like 'be' or 'feel'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe doing something without full willingness. 'Reluctantly' (C1) is the most neutral and common — it focuses on internal resistance to an action you feel you must do (e.g., reluctantly accepting a job transfer because you need the money). 'Unwillingly' (B2) is more direct and stronger — it emphasizes a clear refusal of will rather than hesitant compliance (e.g., unwillingly attending a meeting she openly disagreed with). 'Grudgingly' (C1) adds resentment or bitterness — the person acts but shows displeasure (e.g., grudgingly admitting a rival's success). 'Hesitantly' (B2) describes uncertainty or doubt, not opposition — the person is unsure rather than unwilling (e.g., hesitantly stepping onto the icy pond). Use 'reluctantly' when the person feels pushed by duty or pressure but eventually complies.

unwillingly ↗grudginglyhesitantly

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very reluctantly
  • quite reluctantly
  • somewhat reluctantly

Phrases

  • more reluctantly than
  • far less reluctantly

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Comes from Latin 'reluctari', meaning 'to struggle against'. The root breaks down into 're-' (back, against) and 'luctari' (to struggle, to wrestle). The adjective 'reluctant' appeared in English in the 1600s, and the adverb 'reluctantly' followed soon after, keeping the core idea of struggling internally against an action.