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

Synonyms

• cagey
• cagy
• disinclined
• dubious
• indisposed
• loath
• loth
• loathe
• reluctant
• reticent

Choose the Right Synonym for hesitant

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

Initially, many older women are hesitant to attempt these higher-impact movements due to osteopenia or osteoporosis. —Melanie Curry, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

The Hotline is hesitant to draw conclusions on the future of the little guys in the Big Dance — the sample size is small — but NIL and the transfer portal are worrisome for that subset of Division I. Winner: Houston. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025

Many students were hesitant at first, sticking to manual methods. —Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The mother Francois represented was initially hesitant to file a police report, but the lawyer said the decision to involve law enforcement quickly helped expedite the case. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see hesitate

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hesitant

• vaccine hesitant

Kids Definition

hesitant

adjective

hes·​i·​tant ˈhez-ə-tənt 

: tending to hesitate : slow to act or proceed

hesitantly adverb