Hesitant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈhe-zə-tənt/ hes·i·tant

Meaning & Definition of Hesitant

Hesitant (adjective)

  1. slow to act or proceed (as from fear, indecision, or unwillingness), tending to hesitate, showing or feeling reluctance or hesitation

Hesitant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty

    "he was hesitant about committing himself to the oversight of the project, which he knew would be long and difficult"

    similar: cagey, disinclined, dubious, indisposed, loath, reluctant, reticent
    related: uneager, unenthusiastic, averse, unwilling, ambivalent, conflicted, doubtful, faltering, halting, indecisive, infirm, irresolute, questioning, skeptical, uncertain, undecided, unsure, vacillating, wobbly, fainthearted, shy, timid
    opposite: disposed, inclined
    near: eager, enthusiastic, glad, happy, keen, ready, willing, certain, decided, determined, resolute, sure, unquestioning

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hesitant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hesitant:

cagey, disinclined, dubious, indisposed, loath, reluctant, reticent

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hesitant

Words with the opposite meaning of Hesitant:

disposed, inclined

Related Words for Hesitant

uneager, unenthusiastic, averse, unwilling, ambivalent, conflicted, doubtful, faltering, halting, indecisive, infirm, irresolute, questioning, skeptical, uncertain, undecided, unsure, vacillating, wobbly, fainthearted, shy, timid

Near Antonyms of Hesitant

eager, enthusiastic, glad, happy, keen, ready, willing, certain, decided, determined, resolute, sure, unquestioning

Word Forms of Hesitant

Derived words: hesitantly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Hesitant

First known use: 1647

Words & Phrases Containing Hesitant

vaccine hesitant

Frequently Asked Questions about Hesitant

What does "Hesitant" mean?

"Hesitant" means slow to act or proceed (as from fear, indecision, or unwillingness), tending to hesitate, showing or feeling reluctance or hesitation. As an adjective, it is defined as: slow to act or proceed (as from fear, indecision, or unwillingness), tending to hesitate, showing or feeling reluctance or hesitation.

What is another word for "Hesitant"?

Other words for "Hesitant" include cagey, disinclined, dubious, indisposed, loath, reluctant and reticent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hesitant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hesitant"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hesitant". Common alternatives include cagey, disinclined, dubious, indisposed, loath, reluctant and reticent.

What is the opposite of "Hesitant"?

Antonyms of "Hesitant" include disposed and inclined. Near antonyms include eager, enthusiastic, glad and happy.

How do you use "Hesitant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hesitant" in a sentence: "he was hesitant about committing himself to the oversight of the project, which he knew would be long and difficult".

Is "Hesitant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hesitant" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Hesitant"?

"Hesitant" is pronounced /ˈhe-zə-tənt/ and divided into syllables as hes·i·tant.

What is the origin of the word "Hesitant"?

First known use: 1647.