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
But some people may be hesitant about having any of their activities tracked to benefit a multi-trillion-dollar conglomerate.
—
ArsTechnica, 1 June 2025
In the meantime, businesses are left in the murky waters — hesitant to make more or ship more, unsure where to build factories or how high to raise prices.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 30 May 2025
Since April 2022, that spine has undergone surgery, leaving downtown retailers reeling and visitors hesitant to drop by.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
At the time, succession plans weren't fully established and Tyler was initially hesitant about taking over, according to the National Constitution Center.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 28 May 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.
ArsTechnica, 1 June 2025
In the meantime, businesses are left in the murky waters — hesitant to make more or ship more, unsure where to build factories or how high to raise prices.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 30 May 2025
Since April 2022, that spine has undergone surgery, leaving downtown retailers reeling and visitors hesitant to drop by.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
At the time, succession plans weren't fully established and Tyler was initially hesitant about taking over, according to the National Constitution Center.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 28 May 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 6 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