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
Trump’s encouragement of Walker was enough to spur him into the race, though Republicans as a whole were hesitant, given Walker’s lack of experience and standing as an unknown quantity among GOP voters.
—
Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
But the statement also implied that Newsom is hesitant to provide a loan without baking in greater oversight over how funds are spent.
—Kate Talerico, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
HubSpot research indicates that a majority of consumers remain hesitant about making purchases through social channels, primarily due to concerns about merchant legitimacy and transaction security.
—Christopher Yang, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Queen, who also operates Royalty Escapes Travel Agency, added that some clients are more hesitant to spend thousands of dollars on vacations because of concerns about their job stability.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitant
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Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
But the statement also implied that Newsom is hesitant to provide a loan without baking in greater oversight over how funds are spent.
—Kate Talerico, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
HubSpot research indicates that a majority of consumers remain hesitant about making purchases through social channels, primarily due to concerns about merchant legitimacy and transaction security.
—Christopher Yang, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Queen, who also operates Royalty Escapes Travel Agency, added that some clients are more hesitant to spend thousands of dollars on vacations because of concerns about their job stability.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 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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