hesitant
hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.
lacking readiness of speech.
Origin of hesitant
1Other words from hesitant
- hes·i·tant·ly, adverb
- non·hes·i·tant, adjective
- non·hes·i·tant·ly, adverb
- un·hes·i·tant, adjective
- un·hes·i·tant·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hesitant in a sentence
People who are in higher-risk groups for serious Covid-19 illness might also be more hesitant than people who aren’t.
How risky is air travel in the pandemic? Here’s what the science says. | Brian Resnick | November 12, 2020 | VoxOn Thursday, in response to reports that some prisons had been hesitant to distribute the forms, Judge Phyllis Hamilton ordered that the IRS send prisons another notice directing them to do so.
Millions Still Haven’t Gotten Stimulus Checks, Including Many Who Need Them Most | by Lydia DePillis | October 30, 2020 | ProPublicaDemocrats have been hesitant to join the “defund” movement, and Republicans have indicated it’s a nonstarter for them.
Morning Report: Residents Support Shifting Police Funding | Voice of San Diego | October 29, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoYet even many Democratic politicians have been hesitant to embrace calls to defund police departments.
Voice Poll: More County Residents Support Reallocating Police Funding Than Don’t | Sara Libby | October 28, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoThe lackluster reaction other DTC IPOs has left some companies hesitant to go public.
‘More than a moment’: SPACs give DTC startups a potential new exit strategy | Anna Hensel | October 23, 2020 | Digiday
According to police, she “hesitantly” complied with orders and told police that she had done nothing wrong.
Anna Benson, Former ‘Baseball Wife,’ Reportedly Snaps. What Happened? | Christine Pelisek | July 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST“There were times when I was writing the book when I did get angry at the president,” she says hesitantly.
JFK’s Intern-Mistress Mimi Alford Confesses, ‘I Did Love Him’ | Leslie Bennetts | February 10, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTI asked him to clarify, and he hesitantly said, “gay people.”
Milk Screenwriter Battles a Gay-Bashing College | Dustin Lance Black | December 20, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST“I am happy to write more articles like that,” he said hesitantly.
From behind the shell of a ruined building a figure came, walking slowly toward him, walking hesitantly.
Second Variety | Philip Kindred DickHe returned the man's smile, rather hesitantly; then blinked, for the fat man was coming straight toward him.
The Colors of Space | Marion Zimmer BradleyHe reached hesitantly toward the beam-gun, quickly thumbed the catch down to the lowest point, which was simple shock.
The Colors of Space | Marion Zimmer BradleyBut, as if suddenly aware of it again, she looked up at him and drew hesitantly away.
The Colors of Space | Marion Zimmer BradleyDor picked up the horn hesitantly, Burl showing him how to use it.
The Forgotten Planet | Murray Leinster
British Dictionary definitions for hesitant
/ (ˈhɛzɪtənt) /
wavering, hesitating, or irresolute
Derived forms of hesitant
- hesitance or hesitancy, noun
- hesitantly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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