The adjective “loath” means to feel reluctant or unwilling to do something. It is often used to express a strong sense of dislike or aversion towards a particular action, situation, or idea. When someone is described as being “loath,” they are not only unwilling, but they might also feel repelled or uncomfortable with the prospect of engaging in the action. This word is often used in more formal contexts and can also reflect a sense of moral opposition or deep disinclination.
Here are 10 sentences using “loath” to clarify its meaning:
- She was loath to leave her childhood home, even though she knew it was time to move on.
- He was loath to admit that he had made a mistake, preferring to avoid confrontation.
- I’m loath to say it, but I think your decision might lead to more trouble than you expect.
- They were loath to spend more money on a car they weren’t sure would last.
- Although he was loath to criticize his friend, he knew the truth needed to be told.
- She was loath to accept the job offer because it would require moving away from her family.
- I’m loath to interrupt, but I think we’ve missed an important point in the discussion.
- The teacher was loath to give the students extra homework but felt it was necessary for their improvement.
- He was loath to see the company change its policies, fearing it would affect their long-term success.
- They were loath to abandon their plans, but the weather made it impossible to go ahead.
Synonyms for “loath”:
- Reluctant
- Unwilling
- Hesitant
- Averse
- Disinclined
- Resistant
- Opposed
- Unenthusiastic
- Unhappy
- Resistant
Antonyms for “loath”:
- Eager
- Willing
- Enthusiastic
- Ready
- Inclined
- Keen
- Enthusiastic
- Compliant
- Willing-hearted
- Agreeable
Related Words:
- Aversion
- Reluctance
- Hesitation
- Dislike
- Disinclination
- Resistance
- Opposing
- Unwillingness
- Caution
- Doubt
Idiomatic Expressions:
- “Be loath to do something” – The most direct idiomatic expression for expressing reluctance or unwillingness, e.g., “She was loath to speak in front of the crowd.”
- “Drag one’s feet” – To delay or show reluctance in doing something, similar to being loath, e.g., “He dragged his feet about making the decision.”
- “Bite the bullet” – To do something unpleasant despite being loath or reluctant, e.g., “She finally bit the bullet and told her friend the hard truth.”
- “Hesitate to” – To pause or show reluctance before doing something, often used in similar contexts to “loath,” e.g., “He hesitated to accept the invitation.”
- “Be against” – To be opposed or loath to a particular idea or action, e.g., “He was against the proposal from the beginning.”
