Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a reluctant manner: with opposition; unwillingly.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a reluctant manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a reluctant or hesitant manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb with reluctance

Etymologies

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Examples

  • I use the term reluctantly but truly -- it is rebellion! rebellion against the noblest government man ever framed for his own benefit and for the benefit of the world.

    A Political History of the State of New York, Volumes 1-3 DeAlva Stanwood Alexander

  • As much as the word reluctantly rubs me the wrong way, I still haven't heard this: Sorry.

    NEWS.com.au | Top Stories 2011

  • But that doesn't stop our political "journalists" (I use the term reluctantly in this case) pretending surprise, and that a left-wing blog must have learned it from a leak, rather than just bouncing the same common wisdom round the blogosphere.

    No Right Turn 2008

  • He looked puzzled, wary, at this apparent change of topic, but he said, drawing out the word reluctantly, “Yes.”

    I. O. U. Nancy Pickard 1991

  • He looked puzzled, wary, at this apparent change of topic, but he said, drawing out the word reluctantly, “Yes.”

    I. O. U. Nancy Pickard 1991

  • He looked puzzled, wary, at this apparent change of topic, but he said, drawing out the word reluctantly, “Yes.”

    I. O. U. Nancy Pickard 1991

  • He looked puzzled, wary, at this apparent change of topic, but he said, drawing out the word reluctantly, “Yes.”

    I. O. U. Nancy Pickard 1991

  • Salvation rose reluctantly from the dark depths of my memory and I heard my voice, calm and relaxed, gently beguiling in a swinish way.

    The Stainless Steel Rat Returns – Chapter 3 « Official Harry Harrison News Blog 2009

  • Salvation rose reluctantly from the dark depths of my memory and I heard my voice, calm and relaxed, gently beguiling in a swinish way.

    2009 July « Official Harry Harrison News Blog 2009

  • Of course, both Elizabeth and her brother John (Richard Carlson) insist on accompanying the group into the jungle, and despite misgivings, Quartermain reluctantly agrees.

    John Farr: They Sure Don't Make 'Em Like They Used to: A Tribute to Deborah Kerr John Farr 2010

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