Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

hesitate

[hez-i-tayt] / ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪt /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

They might also hesitate to install a shower chair or add handrails at the front door for all the neighbors to see.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

When asked who stood out at practice, Redick didn’t hesitate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

Doubts about how well the vaccine works are among the reasons parents hesitate to get their children the flu shot, CDC surveys show.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

They have prompted Health Secretary Yvette Cooper to say she "will not hesitate" to hold the system to account at every level.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

“Well, if you change your mind, don’t you hesitate to give us a yell, now.”

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

She has an up-and-down relationship with her one close friend, and she hesitates to bother her adored brother, Laurie, if it means bothering Laurie’s wife.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

While she hesitates to call it a rebrand, Day said her hard pivot in the hyperpop direction was nerve-racking at first.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2026

Most people recognize the familiar situation at a restaurant or dinner party when one plate arrives early and the person served hesitates to start eating.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 12, 2026

That is the case for Lucia May, aged four, who hesitates as she looks at skulls peeking from wooden boxes, some still with some hair.

From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025

He hears me coming, turns, hesitates, walks forward.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Family described him as a kind and humble man who worked hard and never hesitated to help others.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Publishers in America hesitated to bring out the book, but when G.P.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

He hesitated before adding, “And you’ll have to call my college. Tell them I won’t be able to attend.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

Londoner Chisora - now with 14 defeats - had said beforehand it would be his last fight, but he hesitated to confirm his retirement when joined in the ring by his family.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2026

Because they’d hesitated while Miel did that incredible thing with his beak and the fighter jets, the halls were deserted.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

I don’t want to escalate too quickly and create pressure, but I also don’t want to miss opportunities by hesitating too long.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

Keane added: "The penalty is a bit harsh and the referee took so long to look at the screen. You want conviction in the referee's decision and he was hesitating for a long time."

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

The U.S. didn’t become the world’s financial center by hesitating in moments of technological change.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

DSA-LA member Anna Gross argued that neither candidate was ideal, with Huang, who has little political experience, being a long shot and Raman hesitating to fully embrace the group.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 22, 2026

She just went on standing there at the threshold, as though hesitating to come in.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro




Vocabulary lists containing hesitate


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com