hesitant

adjective

hes·​i·​tant ˈhe-zə-tənt How to pronounce hesitant (audio)
Synonyms of hesitant
: 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

Synonyms of hesitant

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disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated.

disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again
disinclined for reading

hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work
not averse to an occasional drink

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
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.
Why is private philanthropy hesitant to step in to cover underfunded programs that have been abandoned by many governments? — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Today, Putin follows essentially the same model, seeking to erode allies’ confidence in NATO’s Article 5 by relying on tactics that fall below the threshold of a conventional warfare and leave unaffected members hesitant to respond. — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026 Tourism is down across Page, say local businesses, with visitors hesitant to rent an expensive houseboat for vacation when the water levels are dropping so precipitously. — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 The game ended with ace Chris Sale recording four outs, which is why the Braves were hesitant to have Sale pitch for the third time in six days after throwing 6 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. — Jesús Cano, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitant

Word History

Etymology

see hesitate

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hesitant was in 1647

Phrases Containing hesitant

Browse Nearby Words

hesitancy
hesitant
hesitantly
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Cite this Entry

“Hesitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitant. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hesitant

adjective
hes·​i·​tant ˈhez-ə-tənt How to pronounce hesitant (audio)
: tending to hesitate : slow to act or proceed
hesitantly adverb
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