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Definition of reluctance

reluctance

/rɪˈlʌk.təns/
re · luc · tance
Adverb:reluctantly
•
Plural:reluctances
•
Adjective:reluctant
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reluctance Lexical Profile

reluctance Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Unwillingness or disinclination to do something.

Example

"She expressed great reluctance to accept the promotion because it required relocating."

2

The opposition offered by a magnetic circuit to the passage of magnetic flux, equal to the ratio of magnetomotive force to magnetic flux.

Example

"Adding an air gap to the iron core significantly increases the magnetic reluctance of the circuit."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for reluctance

• Nearby Words

relocation
relock
relook
reluctance
reluctant
reluctantly
rely

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-17th century from the Latin verb 'reluctari' ('to struggle against'), which combines 're-' ('against') and 'luctari' ('to wrestle').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Reluctance. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/reluctance
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