disinclined

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disinclined" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to describe someone who is unwilling or unlikely to do something. Example sentence: He was disinclined to stay late at the office despite being asked to do so by his boss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The polls were always likely to be subject to bias, and now we have learnt that this bias proved all-important More concrete still, what if the sort of person who only ever thinks about politics once every five years, whose vote might turn on a hazy sense of which leader they most trust not to screw up the economy, is disinclined to join internet panels?

The Guardian - Opinion

Johnson, backed by testimony from her family at trial, said she was at home with her mother and three children, disinclined to go out on Halloween.

The Guardian

Many employers enhance statutory maternity entitlements but will be disinclined to do so for shared parental leave Lucy McLynn, employment lawyer Parents will be required to give their employer eight weeks' notice of their intention to take leave.

The Guardian - Money

Manchester United were disinclined to sell to a direct rival, and Tottenham were also in the mix, but Welbeck's preference was to go to the Emirates because of the Champions League football on offer.

The Guardian - Sport

What if (say) the average 48-year-old man in middle management who volunteers for a panel is simply going to be different from the average 48-year-old middle manager who is disinclined to volunteer in this way?

The Guardian - Opinion

The behavioural economist saw a user base accustomed to consuming music for free and now habitually disinclined to pay for it.

The Guardian - Books

Parents are often disinclined to reveal their deception, despite the inevitability of their child eventually uncovering the fiction.

The Guardian - Opinion

As it turned out, the liberals were disinclined to put family unity before their own principles; a compromise resolution reflecting the middle ground failed by a narrow margin.

The Economist

In all, Colombia is disinclined to bend too far to soothe Mr Correa's wounded pride.

The Economist

Proving that beyond reasonable doubt may not be easy, even to a jury disinclined to give fat cats the benefit of the doubt.

The Economist

Because people think the prime minister cried wolf over Iraq, WMD and all that, they are disinclined to believe his dire warnings of the consequences of voting "No" over Europe.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disinclined" when you want to express a mild unwillingness or reluctance. It's more formal than simply saying someone "doesn't want to" do something.

Common error

Avoid using "disinclined" in very informal settings. It can sound overly stiff or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not wanting to" or "not in the mood to."

Linguistic Context

The adjective "disinclined" primarily functions as a modifier describing a person's or entity's unwillingness or reluctance to perform an action. This aligns with Ludwig AI analysis, indicating grammatical correctness and common usage. For example, "Many employers enhance statutory maternity entitlements but will be disinclined to do so for shared parental leave."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "disinclined" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that expresses a sense of reluctance or unwillingness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "disinclined", remember it conveys a milder form of unwillingness and is best suited for more formal contexts. Be mindful of the alternatives, such as "unwilling" or "reluctant", to choose the word that best fits the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey. Also, ensure it's followed by "to" rather than "from".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not inclined

A more literal rephrasing, maintaining a similar level of formality.

unwilling

Direct synonym emphasizing a lack of willingness.

reluctant

Implies hesitation or mild opposition.

averse

Suggests a stronger feeling of dislike or opposition.

hesitant

Indicates pausing or delaying due to uncertainty or reluctance.

loath

Expresses strong disinclination or unwillingness.

resistant

Suggests active opposition or unwillingness to accept something.

unenthusiastic

Indicates a lack of excitement or interest.

opposed

Suggests direct disagreement or resistance.

unprepared

Suggests lacking the readiness or willingness, often due to external factors or internal reservations.

FAQs

How to use "disinclined" in a sentence?

You can use "disinclined" to describe someone's reluctance or unwillingness to do something. For example, "He was "disinclined to attend" the meeting after the argument".

What can I say instead of "disinclined"?

You can use alternatives like "unwilling", "reluctant", or "averse" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disinclined to" or "disinclined from"?

"Disinclined to" is the correct and more common usage. "Disinclined from" is rarely used and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "disinclined" and "unwilling"?

Both "disinclined" and "unwilling" express a lack of desire to do something, but "disinclined" often suggests a milder reluctance or a preference not to, while "unwilling" can imply a stronger resistance or refusal.