as in reluctant
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitant
As companies increasingly integrate AI into their products and services, a critical but often overlooked question emerges: Why do some people embrace AI enthusiastically while others seem more hesitant?
—
Harvard Business Review, 11 July 2025
Businesses are hesitant to pass on higher prices: Consumers, hammered for years by a bout of high inflation, don’t have the appetite — or the savings — for higher prices.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
Countries may also be hesitant to reach a deal with the United States while the Trump administration conducts investigations that might result in new tariffs on a range of products, including pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
—Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
Yet Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – which leads Germany’s coalition government – is hesitant.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitant
Harvard Business Review, 11 July 2025
Businesses are hesitant to pass on higher prices: Consumers, hammered for years by a bout of high inflation, don’t have the appetite — or the savings — for higher prices.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
Countries may also be hesitant to reach a deal with the United States while the Trump administration conducts investigations that might result in new tariffs on a range of products, including pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
—Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
Yet Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – which leads Germany’s coalition government – is hesitant.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitant
reluctant
Adjective
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What To Know Real estate agents who spoke to Redfin said buyers are becoming reluctant to finalize purchases due to economic uncertainties, in particular high mortgage rates, the potential impacts of tariffs, inflation and the possibility of a recession in the near future.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
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Knowing why people are reluctant to come back is just as critical as deciding how to bring them back.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitant. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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