[more hesitant; most hesitant]
: slow to act or speak especially because you are nervous or unsure about what to do : feeling or showing hesitation
She took a hesitant step back from the door.
He seems hesitant about accepting the job.
— sometimes followed by to + verb
He seems hesitant to accept the job.
— hesitancy /ˈhɛzəntənsi/ noun [noncount]
We were surprised by his hesitancy about accepting the job.
— hesitantly adverb
She hesitantly stepped back from the door.
He hesitantly asked a stranger for directions.