hesitantly

14 3.2

In a slow, unsure way because of doubt

adverb
/ˈhɛzɪtəntli/

: con vacilación

He hesitantly opened the heavy door, unsure of what he might find.
move hesitantly
only hesitantly

Do you think deep down that people want to trust people or are they hesitantly not trust you?

Examples

While Miss Martin and I are getting to know each other, she hesitantly reveals her reservations about teaching social studies.

Academic text (1997)
The priest was standing hesitantly at the door, a thin, gray man, slightly bent.

Fiction book (1993)
Instead, he asked, even more hesitantly, if I might be free to do it tonight.

Fiction book (1990)
We all watched her look hesitantly down the length of the table.

Fiction book (1990)
Even in the early 1990s, Japan was beginning to move hesitantly in this direction.

Academic text (2001)
As Olivia hesitantly places her hands on Damien's shoulders, they smile.
Even more hesitantly than the first time, Amar sent another request for Umar's aid.
"I think," she said hesitantly, "that Sork's right in a way, Captain Krake."

Fiction book (1991)
Nyx gestured at a chair; he sat hesitantly, as if he had forgotten how.

Fiction book (1993)
After they dock, she stands hesitantly on the shore, watching the flickering fires.

Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

reluctantly

vshesitantly

80 3.7

In a way that shows you do not want to do something

shows pause or doubt rather than acting because someone does not want to

tentatively

vshesitantly

30 5.1

In a way that shows hesitation or not being sure

expresses pause or doubt without implying final choice

uncertainly

vshesitantly

11 4.0

Act or speak in a way that shows you are not sure

focuses on brief pauses or indecision during action rather than broad doubt

haltingly

vshesitantly

3 7.4

In a slow, unsure way with pauses

shows a short pause or doubt but not repeated interrupting breaks

diffidently

vshesitantly

1 7.9

In a shy way that shows little confidence

expresses pause or doubt rather than general shyness or lack of assertiveness

hesitatingly

vshesitantly

1 6.1

In a slow, unsure way that shows doubt

is the same meaning but is an alternative word form

falteringly

vshesitantly

1 7.4

In a slow, unsure way that shows little confidence

marks brief pause or doubt rather than ongoing unsteadiness

unsurely

vshesitantly

4.1

In a way that shows someone is not sure

expresses brief pause or doubt rather than general instability

waveringly

vshesitantly

7.5

With an unsteady, unsure voice or movement that shows doubt

expresses doubt or pause without the physical shaking element

insecurely

vshesitantly

5.0

In a nervous way that shows little confidence

shows a momentary pause or doubt rather than deep low self belief

reticently

vshesitantly

8.0

In a quiet way, not wanting to speak or give information

expresses pause or doubt in actions rather than simple silence or privacy

Antonyms

confidently

36 2.9

In a way that shows a person is sure and not afraid

unhesitatingly

1 5.7

Without any pause or doubt

How Hesitant

reluctantly

80 3.7

hesitantly

14 3.2

tentatively

30 5.1

cautiously

70 2.3

Surface Forms

hesitantly positive

Morphology

hesitantly = hesitant (transparent) = hesitate + ant + ly

A predictable adverb formation from the adjective 'hesitant' using the productive suffix '-ly'.

Etymology

The word hesitantly comes from hesitate, which comes from the Latin word haerēre meaning 'to stick' or 'hold back', so imagine being a little stuck and pausing before you act. That's why to do something hesitantly is to act with a pause or uncertainty.