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hesitate
[ hez-i-teyt ]
verb (used without object)
- to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination:
She hesitated to take the job.
Synonyms: falter, vacillate, waver
Antonyms: decide
- to have scruples or doubts; be unwilling:
He hesitated to break the law.
- to pause:
I hesitated before reciting the next line.
Antonyms: hasten
- to falter in speech; stammer:
Embarrassment caused the speaker to hesitate.
hesitate
/ ˈhɛzɪˌteɪt /
verb
- to hold back or be slow in acting; be uncertain
- to be unwilling or reluctant (to do something)
- to stammer or pause in speaking
Derived Forms
- ˈhesiˌtative, adjective
- ˌhesiˈtation, noun
- ˈhesiˌtater, noun
- ˈhesiˌtatingly, adverb
Other Words From
- hesi·tater hesi·tator noun
- hesi·tating·ly adverb
- pre·hesi·tate verb (used without object) prehesitated prehesitating
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of hesitate1
Example Sentences
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local election officials if you have questions.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and I will get you the sign-up information.
Powell noted a risk, saying that “if excessive inflationary pressures were to build or inflation expectations were to ratchet above levels consistent with our goal,” the central bank wouldn’t hesitate to act.
When the UK government hesitates between several policies, it can get advice from the Koreans who have already faced a similar dilemma a month ago.
These folks are there to liaise and connect you with the right resources, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
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.
It also means that workers in the United States, like those in Spain, may hesitate to work around such patients.
I 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.
Mr. Meadow Mouse did not hesitate to use it, being one of those fortunate folk that are quite at home anywhere.
He looked at her throat, and sighed, seemed to hesitate, and then bent suddenly down as if he were going to kiss it.
Many of the first connoisseurs, now hesitate whether to apply the epithet greatest to Guarnerius or to Stradiuarius.
Well might Sir Charles Hawkins hesitate to believe what the experience of sixty years has barely sufficed to make plain to us.
This is a salutary rule of the law, which the courts everywhere do not hesitate to enforce.
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