reluctant
Dragging one's feet
If you are reluctant to do something, you don’t want to do it for particular reasons.
Often, the reason is an anticipated undesirable outcome: The administration was reluctant to discipline the students, fearing demonstrations.
When reluctant is placed before a noun designating a role, it may suggest that a person has had a role thrust upon them that they don’t welcome: The doctor became the reluctant leader of the rescue operation.
Opposed to participating
- disinclinedAverse to acting
- loathStrongly reluctant
- averseOpposed or unwilling
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
grudging · halfhearted · begrudging · uncooperative · withholding · resistant · recalcitrant · refractory
Slow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
faltering · uncertain · unsure · pausing · stalling · second-guessing · hem and haw · dawdling
Guardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- charyCautiously reluctant
- carefulExercising caution and attention
leery · skeptical · distrustful · cagey · prudent · reserved · measured · risk-averse
Fearful of future events
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- afraidExperiencing dread or worry
wary · worried · uneasy · trepidatious · frightened · dreading · fearing · gun-shy
Uncomfortably self-conscious
- reservedRestrained in manner
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- retiringLeaving the workforce
- demureModestly reserved in manner
self-conscious · introverted · diffident · withdrawn · coy · shrinking · unassuming · modest
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- resistantWithstanding external forces
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- intransigentRefusing to compromise
immovable · defiant · rebellious · noncompliant · contrary · oppositional · stonewalling · balking
unwilling
Opposed to participating
- disinclinedAverse to acting
- loathStrongly reluctant
- averseOpposed or unwilling
unenthusiastic · grudging · halfhearted · begrudging · uncooperative · withholding · resistant · recalcitrant · refractory · forced
hesitant
Slow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
dithering · faltering · uncertain · unsure · pausing · stalling · second-guessing · hem and haw · dawdling · delaying
wary
Guardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- charyCautiously reluctant
careful · leery · skeptical · distrustful · cagey · prudent · reserved · measured · risk-averse · playing it safe
apprehensive
Fearful of future events
afraid · wary · worried · uneasy · trepidatious · frightened · dreading · fearing · gun-shy · spooked
bashful
Uncomfortably self-conscious
demure · self-conscious · introverted · diffident · withdrawn · coy · shrinking · unassuming · modest · timorous
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- resistantWithstanding external forces
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
intransigent · immovable · defiant · rebellious · noncompliant · contrary · oppositional · stonewalling · balking · refusing
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- unwillinghesitant, resistant, averse, disinclined, loath
- attentionattention, focus, focused, attentiveness, focused attention
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- body language descriptorsopen, closed, tense, relaxed, stiff
- reluctant heroOne who resists their calling
- reluctant readerPerson disinclined toward books
- reluctant witnessUnwilling person who testifies
- reluctant dragonUnwilling fierce creature