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
Florida dominates the list of America’s most distressed housing markets, facing a toxic cocktail of oversupply, climate risk, and rising insurance premiums that have made even enthusiastic buyers hesitant to commit.
—
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
This limited series will have you a little more hesitant to book your next national park trip.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 18 July 2025
Others are more hesitant to face off against an aggressive federal government and a vindictive president looking to inflict pain on his political enemies.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
On the playoff end, though, bettors seem a bit more hesitant.
—Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitant
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Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
This limited series will have you a little more hesitant to book your next national park trip.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 18 July 2025
Others are more hesitant to face off against an aggressive federal government and a vindictive president looking to inflict pain on his political enemies.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
On the playoff end, though, bettors seem a bit more hesitant.
—Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 12 July 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 22 Jul. 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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