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 of hesitant

• reluctant

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

Pastor Nyya Toussaint, an associate pastor at First Church Miami, spoke about how many Christians can be hesitant to explore other faith traditions, such as visiting a mosque or partaking in a Gede ceremony. —Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025

And don’t be afraid or hesitant to commit your entire life to an idea. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2025

Spoken by Emerald to Liberty, who’s hesitant to accept the proposal of her hot doctor boyfriend (O-T Fagbenle). —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025

Although initially hesitant, Baldwin eventually agreed to give Kennedy access to his life before, during and after his trial. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 10 Nov. 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