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.
Words Nearby hesitate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hesitate in a sentence
He does not hesitate to hide some Marxist books from her library because she fears that the military could use them against her.
When the group enters Terminus, Rick does not hesitate to fight.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero | Regina Lizik | October 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt also means that workers in the United States, like those in Spain, may hesitate to work around such patients.
Can You Treat Ebola—And Stay Safe? | Abby Haglage, Kent Sepkowitz | October 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI hesitate to speculate on exactly where the problem is, though after spending some time with the paper I have my suspicions.
Because of disability trolling, some people may hesitate to disclose their differences right away.
Disabled Woman Tackles the Dating Site Trolls | Elizabeth Heideman | August 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Mr. Meadow Mouse did not hesitate to use it, being one of those fortunate folk that are quite at home anywhere.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott BaileyHe looked at her throat, and sighed, seemed to hesitate, and then bent suddenly down as if he were going to kiss it.
Bella Donna | Robert HichensMany of the first connoisseurs, now hesitate whether to apply the epithet greatest to Guarnerius or to Stradiuarius.
Violins and Violin Makers | Joseph PearceWell might Sir Charles Hawkins hesitate to believe what the experience of sixty years has barely sufficed to make plain to us.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickThis is a salutary rule of the law, which the courts everywhere do not hesitate to enforce.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
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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