loath

adjective

ˈlōth  ˈlōt͟h 

variants or less commonly loth

ˈlōth  ˈlōt͟h 

or loathe

ˈlōt͟h  ˈlōth 

: unwilling to do something contrary to one's ways of thinking : reluctant

She was loath to admit her mistakes.

loathness noun

Did you know?

Many usage commentators point out that the spelling of loath, the adjective, is distinct from loathe, the verb that means "to dislike greatly." Merriam-Webster dictionaries do record loathe (along with loth) as a variant spelling for the adjective, but at the same time indicate that the loath spelling is the most common one. The adjective and the verb both hark back to Old English, and the "e" ending in each has come and gone over the centuries—but if you want to avoid the ire of those who like to keep the language tidy, stick with loath for the adjective and loathe for the verb.

Synonyms

• cagey
• cagy
• disinclined
• dubious
• hesitant
• indisposed
• reluctant
• reticent

Choose the Right Synonym for loath

disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated.

disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again

disinclined for reading

hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work

not averse to an occasional drink

Examples of loath in a Sentence

She was loath to admit her mistakes.

I was loath to accept his claim of having climbed Mount Everest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Barr says the recent presidential election results prove that viewers are eager for content that Hollywood has been loath to make. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025

But realists would be loath to undermine one of the greatest advantages the U.S. has long enjoyed as a world power—uncommonly warm relations with its closest neighbors. —Jonathan Kirshner, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2025

Certainly not Lynch, who was loath to explain the meaning behind his often abstract films, preferring that his audience arrive at its own conclusions. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025

But amid Trump’s return, the radicals have their eyes on bigger prizes, such as the annexation of the West Bank—which the Palestinians claim for their future state—and are loath to forgo such opportunities. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English loth loathsome, from Old English lāth; akin to Old High German leid loathsome, Old Irish lius loathing

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

loath

adjective

variants also loth

ˈlōth,

ˈlōt͟h

or loathe

ˈlōt͟h  ˈlōth 

: unwilling to do something : reluctant

seems loath to trust anyone