hesitated

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.

See Examples For:

hesitated

But, even so, she hesitated for years before speaking out, partly because she "really, really" doesn't want to hurt people.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 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

During some calls, Sheinbaum hasn’t hesitated to interrupt Trump to clarify issues of relevance for Mexico.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

Film and TV have not hesitated either, with Epic Games' tech deployed in Star Wars series "The Mandalorian" and Oscar-winning short film "War is Over".

From Barron's ● Mar. 1, 2026

She hesitated at the door of the lab.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer