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.
None of these feel significant to the business, but each one gives a hesitant buyer a reason to pause, and pauses are where deals go to die. — Dr. Sariki Abungwo, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 DeLeon reflected on his internship experience and encouraged hesitant students to apply for similar opportunities. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 Your audience is not filled with Turning Point members, but people still may be hesitant to laugh. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 And considering scoring has been at a premium for Florida — the Panthers have nine goals through five games — Maurice might have been hesitant to fully dismantle a group that’s producing. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hesitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitant. Accessed 19 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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