hesitant

[hez-i-tuhnt]

adjective

1. hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.

2. lacking readiness of speech.

hesitant

/ ˈhɛzɪtənt /

adjective

1. wavering, hesitating, or irresolute

Other Word Forms

• hesitantly adverb
• nonhesitant adjective
• nonhesitantly adverb
• unhesitant adjective
• unhesitantly adverb
• hesitance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hesitant¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin haesitant-, stem of haesitāns “faltering,” present participle of haesitāre “to falter, hesitate,” literally, “to stick repeatedly,” from haerēre “to stick, cling”

Example Sentences

However, providers might be hesitant to schedule patients covered by Medicare if the shutdown drags on over a long period of time.

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But at a time when kids and their parents may need significant support, they may also be more hesitant to seek it, said Prietto.

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Some reformers have credited Sheinbaum with confronting corruption, while others say she has been too cautious, too hesitant, to take on a problem deeply entrenched in Mexican politics.

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However Ms Brinley said she was hesitant to declare the US behind in an industry still testing out technology alternatives.

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In the wake of the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, lawmakers were hesitant to add high-density housing to high-risk fire areas.

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Related Words

• afraid 
• averse 
• doubtful 
• halting 
• indecisive 
• loath 
• reluctant 
• shy 
• skeptical 
• slow 
• tentative 
• timid 
• unsure 
• unwilling