hesitate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination.
She hesitated to take the job.
- 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.
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
Other Word Forms
- hesitater noun
- hesitatingly adverb
- hesitation noun
- hesitative adjective
- hesitator noun
- prehesitate verb (used without object)
Etymology
Origin of hesitate
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin haesitātus “faltered,” past participle of haesitāre “to falter”; hesitant
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.
When the economics turn, these companies will not hesitate to walk away.
From Salon
A government source said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood would not hesitate to ban visas for other countries refusing to take citizens back.
From BBC
After dinner — the couple’s first Chicago tavern-style pizza — Sullivan offered Faqiri a box to save her last slice, and she hesitated.
From Los Angeles Times
“The FAA will not hesitate to act if additional safety measures are required,” the agency said.
Buy an olive oil that’s a notch nicer than what you usually allow yourself — something grassy and golden, maybe lightly infused, luxe enough to feel special but not so precious you hesitate to use it.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
