hesitant
adjective
hes·i·tant
ˈhe-zə-tənt 
: slow to act or proceed (as from fear, indecision, or unwillingness) : tending to hesitate : showing or feeling reluctance or hesitation
took a hesitant step towards the door
hesitant about accepting the job
hesitantly
adverb
Examples of hesitant in a Sentence
She took a hesitant step back from the door.
He seems hesitant about accepting the job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Businesses that have invested years in tailoring their systems may be hesitant to risk functionality loss or reintegrate complex tools.
—
Eric Giesecke, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Kwame was hesitant to take the plunge for several reasons, the most prominent being his mother's refusal to attend the wedding.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 June 2025
The Federal Reserve's periodic report on economic activity issued earlier this month indicated a likelihood of price increases ahead, while noting that some companies were hesitant to pass through higher costs.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 12 June 2025
But some remain hesitant to say this group can pull it off.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitant
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eric Giesecke, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Kwame was hesitant to take the plunge for several reasons, the most prominent being his mother's refusal to attend the wedding.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 June 2025
The Federal Reserve's periodic report on economic activity issued earlier this month indicated a likelihood of price increases ahead, while noting that some companies were hesitant to pass through higher costs.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 12 June 2025
But some remain hesitant to say this group can pull it off.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitant
Cite this Entry
“Hesitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitant. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hesitant
adjective
hes·i·tant
ˈhez-ə-tənt
: tending to hesitate : slow to act or proceed
hesitantly
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share