hesitate
to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.
to have scruples or doubts; be unwilling: He hesitated to break the law.
to pause: I hesitated before reciting the next line.
to falter in speech; stammer: Embarrassment caused the speaker to hesitate.
Origin of hesitate
1Other words for hesitate
Opposites for hesitate
Other words from hesitate
- hes·i·tat·er, hes·i·ta·tor, noun
- hes·i·tat·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·hes·i·tate, verb (used without object), pre·hes·i·tat·ed, pre·hes·i·tat·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hesitate in a sentence
He hesitates when I ask him about the target of the other missiles.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan | Umar Farooq | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnna sees him from across the ice, hesitates, and chooses to help her sister instead.
Disney’s Sublimely Subversive ‘Frozen’ Isn’t Your Typical Princess Movie | Melissa Leon | November 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile Maggie, Daryl, Sasha and the others frantically chip away at the undead swarm, Rick hesitates.
The Walking Dead ‘Infected’ Recap: There Will Be Exploding Faces | Melissa Leon | October 21, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAlthough there is certainly overlap between Birthright Israel and Know Thy Heritage, Rabie hesitates to make the comparison.
He hesitates when I ask him to name his favorite entertainments.
When Tim hesitates he loses his temper as a sensible man should lose it—he buries it, and his indomitable good humor wins.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydI suppose the more experience a man has had of life the more he hesitates to define what love really is.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonBe assured when a lady or gentleman hesitates on this point, or on that of honesty, it is wiser not to engage a servant.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyI know his good nature, but if he hesitates you must intercede, or help me some way or other.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2) | Edward GibbonHe approves the idea, but the more gigantic it appears, the more he hesitates to place a man like you at the head.
Chicot the Jester | Alexandre Dumas, Pere
British Dictionary definitions for hesitate
/ (ˈhɛzɪˌteɪt) /
to hold back or be slow in acting; be uncertain
to be unwilling or reluctant (to do something)
to stammer or pause in speaking
Origin of hesitate
1Derived forms of hesitate
- hesitater or hesitator, noun
- hesitatingly, adverb
- hesitation, noun
- hesitative, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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