hesitant
- hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.
- lacking readiness of speech.
Origin of hesitant
Related Words for hesitant
skeptical, slow, unsure, tentative, shy, indecisive, doubtful, halting, loath, afraid, averse, unwilling, timid, reluctant, backward, delaying, diffident, disinclined, half-hearted, hesitatingExamples from the Web for hesitant
Contemporary Examples of hesitant
After some teasing and talking, Mulvehill writes that she is “hesitant” but they start kissing.
But church authorities have traditionally been hesitant to discuss controversial parts of Mormon history.
He negotiates with a hesitant Hershel who allows everyone to remain on the farm.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical HeroRegina Lizik
October 28, 2014
Dalia is hesitant to use the label of feminist (making her no different from scores of other progressive female musicians).
The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It’s Ladies’ Night for Hasidic RockersEmily Shire
September 30, 2014
Those that are hesitant about Powell may point to her contentious “resignation” as the first female ambassador to India in March.
Historical Examples of hesitant
A hesitant, pleading call followed her, but she wouldn't hear it.
NobodyLouis Joseph Vance
He shuddered and turned back into the lobby, hesitant and wretched.
The Winning ClueJames Hay, Jr.
Helena stood preoccupied and hesitant, hardly hearing what he said, as I fancy.
The Lady and the PirateEmerson Hough
It was evidently with hesitant spirits that the Board finally acted.
Roosevelt in the Bad LandsH. Hagedorn.
But as he halted, hesitant, the sunlight fell full on his face.
The Return of Peter GrimmDavid Belasco
hesitant
- wavering, hesitating, or irresolute
Word Origin and History for hesitant
1640s, probably a back-formation from hesitancy, or else from Latin haesitantem. Related: Hesitantly.