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hesitant answer

[ˈhɛzɪtənt ˈænsər]
noun phrasepl: hesitant answers
resposta hesitante
1. A response given with uncertainty, doubt, or reluctance, often characterized by pauses, stammering, or lack of confidence
When asked about his whereabouts, he gave a hesitant answer that raised suspicion.
Quando perguntado sobre seu paradeiro, ele deu uma resposta hesitante que despertou suspeita.
2. An answer delivered with visible signs of uncertainty or indecision
The student's hesitant answer suggested she wasn't entirely sure of the material.
A resposta hesitante da aluna sugeriu que ela não tinha certeza total sobre o conteúdo.
NYC Slang
wishy-washy answer
Synonyms
uncertain answertentative answerdoubtful answerwavering response
Antonyms
confident answerdecisive answerdefinitive answerassertive response

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
resposta hesitante
Most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
resposta hesitante; resposta incerta
Both terms are widely used in formal and informal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
resposta hesitante; resposta duvidosa
Colloquial variation common in speech
Portugal
resposta hesitante; resposta vacilante
Vacilante is more frequently used in Portuguese Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat around the bush
hem and haw
speak with bated breath
give a qualified answer
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