hesitate

[hez-i-teyt] / ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪt /

VERB

wait; be uncertain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

balk dither falter pause ponder stumble waffle waver

STRONG

alternate balance dally debate defer delay demur dillydally doubt equivocate flounder fluctuate fumble hang hedge hover linger oscillate pussyfoot scruple seesaw shift shrink stammer stop straddle stutter swerve tergiversate vacillate weigh

WEAK

be irresolute be reluctant be unwilling blow hot and cold hang back hem and haw hold back hold off pull back shy away sit on fence think about think twice

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue persist

STRONG

advance agree do well expedite face go go along hasten hurry meet remain rush stay

WEAK

attack carry on go ahead persevere resolve

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.

And, on any given night, he didn’t hesitate to expand an improvisation to startling lengths, finding new ideas well beyond the imaginative limits of most jazz players.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

That is why I didn’t hesitate in giving Matthew his grandmother’s wedding ring last Christmas when he told me he wanted to ask Annie to marry him.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth says she did not hesitate when making the decision to retire from football at the end of the season.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

When food was available, they did not hesitate to feed on the remains of dead animals, even down to the last scraps.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

The trolls hesitate, before saying: “No, Lord Tano.”

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Vocabulary lists containing hesitate

List 3

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"Fears and Phobias," Vocabulary from the article

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Frindle

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