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
This demonstrates how even those driving innovation are often hesitant to embrace its full implications.
—
Sabeer Nelliparamban, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Turner announced his new relationship on an April 2025 podcast episode
Turner was initially hesitant to share the identity of his new girlfriend, but began talking about his new relationship in April 2025.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Beige Book’s vibe is hesitant The Fed’s Beige Book released Wednesday added texture to the growing sense of caution in the U.S. economy.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 24 Apr. 2025
And doctors, reluctant to cause such acute pain, are hesitant to start patients on buprenorphine.
—Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitant
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Sabeer Nelliparamban, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Turner announced his new relationship on an April 2025 podcast episode
Turner was initially hesitant to share the identity of his new girlfriend, but began talking about his new relationship in April 2025.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Beige Book’s vibe is hesitant The Fed’s Beige Book released Wednesday added texture to the growing sense of caution in the U.S. economy.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 24 Apr. 2025
And doctors, reluctant to cause such acute pain, are hesitant to start patients on buprenorphine.
—Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hesitant
adjective
hes·i·tant
ˈhez-ə-tənt
: tending to hesitate : slow to act or proceed
hesitantly
adverb
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