hesitate [ hez -i-teyt ] SHOW IPA
/ ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪt / PHONETIC RESPELLING
verb (used without object), hes·i·tat·ed, hes·i·tat·ing.
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.
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Origin of hesitate 1615–25; <Latin
haesitātus, past participle of
haesitāre. See
hesitant ,
-ate1
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to hesitate balk ,
dither ,
falter ,
pause ,
ponder ,
stumble ,
waffle ,
waver ,
alternate ,
balance ,
dally ,
debate ,
defer ,
delay ,
demur ,
dillydally ,
doubt ,
equivocate ,
flounder ,
fluctuate
How to use hesitate in a sentence It has bumped some contenders off this list, good barbecue joints, places I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
Overall, though, we hope you’ll find the interactive both fun and informative — and if you’ve got any questions, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line.
Coinbase hesitate d to comply—apparently over concerns whether the phrase would also mean support for defunding the police—but Armstrong eventually did on Twitter after a virtual walkout.
Michigan voters are entitled to a full, free and fair election in November and my office will not hesitate to pursue those who jeopardize that.
According to a consumer survey conducted by Fan & Fuel, 97% of participants said customer reviews factor into their buying decisions, and 92% of consumers hesitate to make a purchase when there are no customer reviews.
If the matter were just about adding his name to backers of the legislation, Rubio would not be hesitating.
With Netanyahu himself hesitating on the Iran file, the government as a whole still remains susceptible to pressure.
In other states, unusual circumstances have left the Democrats hesitating while Republicans forge ahead with runs.
Without hesitating, Inghels flashes the cover of her book: Twilight, in Dutch.
Without hesitating he says, “That I will be made the scapegoat.”
Blanche stood an instant looking into the lighted room and hesitating—flushed a little, smiling, extremely pretty.
He talked freely and intimately in a low, hesitating drawl that was not unpleasant to hear.
He did not even feel the soft fluttering breath, playing and hesitating, as it were, round her lips as her eyes slowly closed.
"There's lots of things you don't know," he said in a hesitating voice, as though appealing to his old friend.
A few hours earlier he would have done it without hesitating; but, since he had been there, he had learned distrust, scepticism.
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British Dictionary definitions for hesitate
verb (intr)
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 of hesitate hesitater or hesitator , noun hesitatingly , adverb hesitation , noun hesitative , adjective Word Origin for hesitate C17: from Latin haesitāre, from haerēre to cling to
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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