hesitative

[hez-i-tey-tiv]

adjective

1. characterized by hesitation; hesitating.

Other Word Forms

• hesitatively adverb
• unhesitative adjective
• unhesitatively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hesitative¹

First recorded in 1785–95; hesitate + -ive

Example Sentences

"N—no," was the hesitative answer.

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Soon a courageous bull-frog gives utterance to a subdued, hesitative croak; his excellent example is quickly followed by others; answering noises spring up in every direction, and ere long the midnight concert of the jungle is again in full melody.

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"Admiral Darling is kind enough to think," said Scudamore, in his mild, hesitative way, blushing outwardly, but smiling inwardly, "that I am too good to be a clergyman."

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They want me to bin in their stuffy little bazaar, crowded with people and donkeys; mere alley-ways with scarcely a twenty yard stretch from one angle to another; the surface is a disorganized mass of holes and stones over which the wary and hesitative donkey picks his way with the greatest care; and yet the popular clamor is "Bin, bin; bazaar, bazaar."

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On the contrary, they look suspiciously like being undecided and hesitative about whether to let me proceed peacefully on my way or not.

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