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be reluctant

VERB

begrudge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

envy

STRONG

covet grudge pinch resent stint

WEAK

be jealous be stingy eat one's heart out

Antonyms

STRONG

be generous give

VERB

grudge

Synonyms

STRONG

begrudge complain covet deny envy mind pinch refuse resent stint

WEAK

be stingy hold back

Antonyms

STRONG

allow approve be content be generous be happy give grant offer sanction

WEAK

favor forgive

VERB

hate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abhor despise detest loathe scorn shun

STRONG

abominate anathematize contemn curse deprecate deride disapprove disdain disfavor disparage execrate nauseate spurn

WEAK

be disgusted with be hostile to be loath be repelled by be sick of be sorry bear a grudge against can't stand feel malice to have an aversion to have enough of have no use for look down on not care for object to recoil from shudder at spit upon

Antonyms

STRONGEST

admire adore approve cherish like love

STRONG

commend compliment endorse flatter laud praise sanction

VERB

hesitate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

balk dither falter pause ponder stumble waffle waver

STRONG

alternate balance dally debate defer delay demur dillydally doubt equivocate flounder fluctuate fumble hang hedge hover linger oscillate pussyfoot scruple seesaw shift shrink stammer stop straddle stutter swerve tergiversate vacillate weigh

WEAK

be irresolute be unwilling blow hot and cold hang back hem and haw hold back hold off pull back shy away sit on fence think about think twice

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue persist

STRONG

advance agree do well expedite face go go along hasten hurry meet remain rush stay

WEAK

attack carry on go ahead persevere resolve

VERB

scruple

Synonyms

STRONG

boggle demur doubt falter fret gag hesitate question shy stick stickle stumble vacillate waver worry

WEAK

be loath be unwilling have qualms think twice about

Antonyms

STRONG

continue remain stay

WEAK

not care

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.

"I can sort of understand why teachers might be reluctant to let somebody out at the beginning of a class right after break," Ben added.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

State leaders may be reluctant, in part because of legal challenges, to reset all of that.

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2026

Wealth managers may be reluctant to put new money into funds that are “gated” with redemption limits in place, or face a high likelihood of being subject to redemption restrictions in the current quarter.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Whatever you think about the war, I’d be reluctant to bet against the Pentagon and the Israeli Defense Force.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

If anyone thought I’d be reluctant to move out of the mansion on the hill and into student housing, they’d be wrong.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

be reluctant

Example Sentences

Related Words