unwilling
Dragging one's feet
Unwilling means not wanting to do something, resistant or reluctant: He was unwilling to compromise.
It suggests active resistance rather than mere hesitation—someone unwilling has considered the matter and declined.
An unwilling participant acts under compulsion rather than choice.
The adverb unwillingly and noun unwillingness follow naturally: She agreed, but unwillingly.
Unwilling to act
- loathStrongly reluctant
- disinclinedAverse to acting
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
- hesitantSlow to act
lukewarm · half-hearted · grudging · reticent · uninclined · uneager · indisposed · demurring
Pressured into compliance
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- compelledMade to act
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- pressuredUrged with insistence
obligated · conscripted · dragooned · shanghaied · impressed · constrained · mandated · commandeered
Openly resisting control
- resistantWithstanding external forces
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- stubbornRefusing to change course
intransigent · noncompliant · uncooperative · obstructive · insubordinate · contrary · rebellious · refractory
Opposed or unwilling
- antipathyIngrained, intense aversion
- distasteMild aversion or dislike
- dislikeMild negative regard
- repugnanceIntense distaste or disgust
revulsion · loathing · detestation · abhorrence · recoil · disgust · disfavor · disapproval
Slow to act
- uncertainNot firmly known
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- ambivalentHaving contradictory feelings
vacillating · doubtful · unsure · tentative · faltering · equivocating · torn · conflicted
reluctant
Unwilling to act
- loathStrongly reluctant
- disinclinedAverse to acting
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
hesitant · lukewarm · half-hearted · grudging · reticent · uninclined · uneager · indisposed · demurring · foot-dragging
coerced
Pressured into compliance
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- compelledMade to act
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
pressured · obligated · conscripted · dragooned · shanghaied · impressed · constrained · mandated · commandeered · nonconsensual
defiant
Openly resisting control
- resistantWithstanding external forces
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
stubborn · intransigent · noncompliant · uncooperative · obstructive · insubordinate · contrary · rebellious · refractory · balky
averse
Opposed or unwilling
repugnance · revulsion · loathing · detestation · abhorrence · recoil · disgust · disfavor · disapproval · put off
hesitant
Slow to act
- uncertainNot firmly known
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
ambivalent · vacillating · doubtful · unsure · tentative · faltering · equivocating · torn · conflicted · on the fence