Hesitant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hesitant

[ˈhɛzɪtənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or showing hesitation

Hesitant is an adjective used to describe someone who is unsure or reluctant to do something. It suggests a lack of confidence or certainty in making a decision or taking action.

Synonyms

doubtful, reluctant, uncertain, wavering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hesitant	Used when someone is pausing or unsure due to fear, doubt, or uncertainty. She was hesitant to speak up during the meeting. Tom felt hesitant about making a big life change.
reluctant	Used when someone is unwilling or not eager to do something. He was reluctant to share his secret. She felt reluctant to accept the offer.
uncertain	Used when something is not known, definite, or decided. I'm uncertain about what to do next. The future of the project is uncertain.
doubtful	Used when there is a strong sense that something is unlikely or not true. The coach was doubtful about the team's chances of winning. I'm doubtful that the weather will improve by the weekend.
wavering	Used when someone is unable to make a firm decision or is changing their mind. She kept wavering between two job offers. His wavering support made the team uneasy.

Examples of usage

She was hesitant to speak up during the meeting.
He was hesitant about accepting the job offer.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

causing hesitation

Hesitant can also be used to describe something that creates doubt or uncertainty in decision-making.

Synonyms

ambiguous, dubious, equivocal, unclear.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hesitant	Used when someone is unsure or reluctant to take a definite action. She was hesitant to answer the question He is always hesitant before making a big decision
dubious	Used when something seems questionable or doubtful, often with a negative connotation. Her dubious story made everyone skeptical He had a dubious reputation in the business community
ambiguous	Used to describe something that is open to multiple interpretations or unclear meaning. The instructions were ambiguous and confusing His response was ambiguous, leaving us unsure of his intentions
equivocal	Used to describe language or statements that are deliberately unclear, often to mislead or avoid commitment. The politician's answer was equivocal, lacking clarity His comments were so equivocal that no one could understand his true position
unclear	Used to describe something that is not easy to understand or see, lacking clarity. The instructions were unclear, making the task difficult Her intentions were unclear to everyone

Examples of usage

The hesitant tone of her voice made me question her sincerity.
The hesitant response from the audience indicated their lack of enthusiasm.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'hesitant'

The word 'hesitant' originated from the Latin word 'haesitans', which means 'halting' or 'hesitating'. Over time, it evolved into the Middle French word 'hesitant', before being adopted into the English language. The concept of hesitation has been a part of human behavior since ancient times, reflecting the common experience of uncertainty and indecision.

See also: hesitancy, hesitating, hesitation.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,191, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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15188 perfecting
15189 refrained
15190 humanism
15191 hesitant
15192 juxtaposition
15193 overcrowded
15194 rectify
...