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Hesitant: alternatives and connections

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Hesitant

Not prompt in deciding or acting; hesitating.

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46 useful connections shown 7 reviewed relationships and 39 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Similar meaning 2

Indecisive 84% connected

Not decisive; not bringing to a final or ultimate issue; as, an indecisive battle, argument, answer.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

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Indecisive 84% connected

Not decisive; not bringing to a final or ultimate issue; as, an indecisive battle, argument, answer.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Definition Compare both words

Derivationally related 4

Hesitancy 74% connected

The act of hesitating, or pausing to consider; slowness in deciding; vacillation; also, the manner of one who hesitates.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Hesitancy 74% connected

The act of hesitating, or pausing to consider; slowness in deciding; vacillation; also, the manner of one who hesitates.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words
Hesitate 74% connected

To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words
Hesitate 74% connected

To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Synonym 1

Hesitating 92% connected

of Hesitate

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

Ambiguous adjective · 78% connection

open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead; "an equivocal statement";…

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Uncertainty and hesitation.
Definition Compare
Cautious noun · 78% connection

people who are fearful and cautious; "whitewater rafting is not for the timid"

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Uncertainty and hesitation.
Definition Compare
Diffident adjective · 78% connection

lacking self-confidence; "stood in the doorway diffident and abashed"; "problems that call for bold not timid responses"; "a very unsu…

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Uncertainty and hesitation.
Definition Compare
Doubtful adjective · 78% connection

fraught with uncertainty or doubt; "they were doubtful that the cord would hold"; "it was doubtful whether she would be admitted"; "du…

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Uncertainty and hesitation.
Definition Compare
Dubious adjective · 78% connection

fraught with uncertainty or doubt; "they were doubtful that the cord would hold"; "it was doubtful whether she would be admitted"; "du…

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Uncertainty and hesitation.
Definition Compare
Equivocal adjective · 78% connection

open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead; "an equivocal statement";…

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Uncertainty and hesitation.
Definition Compare
Probationary adjective · 78% connection

under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon; "probationary employees"; "a provisional government"; "just a tentative sche…

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Uncertainty and hesitation.
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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Active adjective · 78% connection

Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; -- opposed to passive, that receives; a…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Arbiter noun · 78% connection

Any person who has the power of judging and determining, or ordaining, without control; one whose power of deciding and governing is n…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Arbitration noun · 78% connection

the act of deciding as an arbiter; giving authoritative judgment; "they submitted their disagreement to arbitration"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Arbitrator noun · 78% connection

One who has the power of deciding or prescribing without control; a ruler; a governor.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Arbitrement noun · 78% connection

the act of deciding as an arbiter; giving authoritative judgment; "they submitted their disagreement to arbitration"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Backward adjective · 78% connection

Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Barmote noun · 78% connection

A court held in Derbyshire, in England, for deciding controversies between miners.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Coy adjective · 78% connection

Soft; gentle; hesitating.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Decision noun · 78% connection

The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a controversy, by giving judgment on the matter at issue; determination, as of…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Decisive adjective · 78% connection

Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
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Decree noun · 78% connection

An order from one having authority, deciding what is to be done by a subordinate; also, a determination by one having power, deciding…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Deliberate verb · 78% connection

To take counsel with one's self; to weigh the arguments for and against a proposed course of action; to reflect; to consider; to hesit…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Demurral noun · 78% connection

Demur; delay in acting or deciding.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Deportment noun · 78% connection

Manner of deporting or demeaning one's self; manner of acting; conduct; carriage; especially, manner of acting with respect to the cou…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Diagnosis noun · 78% connection

The art or act of recognizing the presence of disease from its signs or symptoms, and deciding as to its character; also, the decision…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Double-acting adjective · 78% connection

Acting or operating in two directions or with both motions; producing a twofold result; as, a double-acting engine or pump.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Duplicity noun · 78% connection

acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
Faction noun · 78% connection

A party, in political society, combined or acting in union, in opposition to the government, or state; -- usually applied to a minorit…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: prompt, deciding, acting, hesitating.
Definition Compare
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