RELUCTANTLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does reluctantly mean? 

• RELUCTANTLY (adverb)
  The adverb RELUCTANTLY has 1 sense:

1. with reluctance

  Familiarity information: RELUCTANTLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RELUCTANTLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With reluctance

Pertainym:

reluctant (unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom)

 Context examples 

He turned and trotted reluctantly away.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

"He did wrong, but we forgave him, and all promised not to say a word to anyone," began Jo reluctantly.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

She listened reluctantly, and her replies were short.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

By the time it was dark, wind and sea had become too strong for the boat, and I reluctantly took in the sail and set about making a drag or sea-anchor.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The youth sat down as directed, but reluctantly and with diffidence.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This water squirted out from under his feet at every step, and each time he lifted a foot the action culminated in a sucking sound as the wet moss reluctantly released its grip.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The letter was reluctantly produced; and as I handed it to the old lady, I saw how the unwilling hand from which I took it, trembled.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

As Thornton got to his feet, Buck seized his mittened hand between his jaws, pressing in with his teeth and releasing slowly, half-reluctantly.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Reluctantly Martin yielded to the claims of the grocer, paying his bill with him in full, and receiving in change a pocketful of jingling coin.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and ill-judging claims of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off for the town, Charles taking care of his sister, and Captain Benwick attending to her.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)