half-unwilling

I didn't think Jolie did a bad job and initially I was with her - I like exactly the things Bill does about her half-unwilling/half-eager approach to her ersatz son... but deeper into this long movie I grew restless with Eastwood framing the actress instead of letting her cut loose.

Another batch of Hot-n-Crusty Arbo Minis! Arbogast 2009

I then forced her half-unwilling hand into his, with an air that I intended should have both freedom and respect in it.

Sir Charles Grandison 2006

And what does it all amount to? — as poor, dear Mr. Gilmore would ask, in his impenetrable business-like way I can only repeat that I do assuredly feel, even on this short acquaintance, a strange, half - willing, half-unwilling liking for the Count.

The Woman in White 2003

Hugh had never seen the man, never been near the region where he ruled, had only heard him described, and yet could see him now, presiding with imperious composure over his half-unwilling assembly.

The Pilgrim of Hate Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1984

And stood half-laughing, half-unwilling to pass on.

The Ladies A Shining Constellation of Wit and Beauty

Porlock, was, we can well imagine, a half-unwilling hero.

Lynton and Lynmouth A Pageant of Cliff & Moorland F. J. Widgery

"You'll have to take another passenger," he said, after explaining matters to the half-unwilling boy, who crowded himself at last to the farthest edge of the seat, so that Lois might take possession of the six inches allotted to her.

McClure's Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, July 1908. Various

And so he did -- saw a vision of half-unwilling treachery, of hesitating loyalty, of dying faith, which turned his heart sick within him.

The Making of a Soul Kathlyn Rhodes

At that moment she was placing in the half-unwilling arms of Hubert

The French Immortals Series — Complete Various

I didn't mean to listen, but I could overhear that he was urging her to fix an early day for the wedding, with many promises of amendment and sobriety, which the poor girl listened to with a half-unwilling ear, and yet her heart couldn't say, ` No. '

Frank Oldfield Lost and Found T.P. Wilson