These words indicate the refusal to assent to something or a cautious, grudging or indecisive attitude towards it. Unwilling points to a flat rejection and is the most forcefully negative of these words: unwilling to lend him the money and unwilling even to discuss it. Also, the word can indicate someone involved in something contrary to his wishes: the Ancient Mariner’s unwilling listener. Loath (or as it is also spelt, loth ) can be taken as having negative force equal to or surpassing that of unwilling ; this may stem from overtones supplied by its near relative. Loathe : loath to do anything detrimental to her reputation. In common use, the word can suggest resistance to or distaste for something, without implying the adamant refusal inherent in unwilling : loath to go to the opera, but doing so to please his wife. This is especially true where on feels compelled to do something whether one likes it or not: loath to acquit the man, though the lack of conclusive evidence left the magistrate no other choice. To illustrate the contrast with unwilling , it can be said that most young men are probably loath to enter compulsory national service, but only pacifists are unwilling to be called up. On the other hand, one might not be loath to do something and yet remain unwilling : keenly interested in the assignment but unwilling to do it for so little money.

Averse suggests distaste, that may be innate but that is usually so strong as to be unalterable; this deep-seated distaste, may or may not result in an unwilling response: so averse to crowds that he habitually went to any lengths to avoid them; averse to the idea of his wife’s working, but agree to it because of their desperate financial situation. Reluctant may sometimes suggest firm resistance to something: insisting that he was, and would remain, reluctant to vote for any bill liberalizing the divorce laws. More often the word indicates a grudging or provisional consent: finally giving his reluctant permission to test the drug on human beings, but only under a programme of strict control. Disinclined is similar to loath and even more so to averse in suggesting distaste for something. It suggests a weaker resistance than these words, and may point to a cautious or prudent attitude that is habitual or is based on past experience or present evidence: disinclined to decide on an all-out attack on the enemy. Disinclined is alone in this set of words in applying to opinions, views or judgements as well as to consent or action: disinclined to believe the man’s story; disinclined to take the reports of flying saucers very seriously. Sometimes the word is used as a circumlocution for a more direct word of disapproval. Hesitant suggests the least resistance of any of these words. It can, in fact, refer merely to indecisiveness or immobilizing cautiousness: so many confusing alternatives that he was hesitant to commit himself to any one choice of action.