hesitate
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:
When asked who stood out at practice, Redick didn’t hesitate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
You hesitate to call it a must-win so soon in Pocognoli's reign, but for feel-good purposes it really is.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
At first, markets greeted the Fed’s rate hike with relief; President Trump had argued rates were already too high, and investors had worried that Warsh would hesitate to tackle rising prices head-on.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
He said he wouldn’t hesitate to act if the inflation picture worsened.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
I open my mouth to say something about it, but I hesitate.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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She hesitates, then blurts out the news, barely holding back laughter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 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 kisses her forehead then goes to kiss her on the lips before she apparently hesitates and they continue dancing.
From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2025
Karl blinks, hesitates, and then a flicker of understanding passes over his face.
From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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They hesitated as they questioned who would ultimately have to pay for the extra firefighters and equipment they ordered.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Continental was one of several U.S. oil companies that had hesitated for months to commit large amounts of capital to Venezuela.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
"I was young and I hesitated when thinking about leaving my country, in order to pursue new goals and paths," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 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
Ophie hesitated, because she didn’t want to say anything the ghost didn’t want to hear.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
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"I'm hesitating because I'm speaking on behalf of other people and that's very difficult to do," he said.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 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
They held them up to the light, pressed them between their fingers, hesitating — until, one by one, they took a bite.
From Salon ● Mar. 17, 2026
That removed a near-term overhang on the stock, but private lenders are hesitating to back its plans, according to Schwartz.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 25, 2026
"Well..." she said again, still hesitating, still refusing to say "No."
From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
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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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