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definitions

hesitate

[hez-i-teyt]
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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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RELATED WORDS

delaying, wavering, dawdling, irresolute, skeptical, uncertain, unsure

Nearby words

  1. hesione,
  2. hesitance,
  3. hesitancy,
  4. hesitant,
  5. hesitantly,
  6. hesitation,
  7. hesitation waltz,
  8. hesitative,
  9. hesper,
  10. hespere

Origin of hesitate

1615–25; < Latin haesitātus, past participle of haesitāre. See hesitant, -ate1
ANTONYMS FOR hesitate
1. decide. 3. hasten.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR hesitate ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formshes·i·tat·er, hes·i·ta·tor, nounhes·i·tat·ing·ly, adverbpre·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. 2019

Examples from the Web for hesitating

British Dictionary definitions for hesitating

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 Formshesitater or hesitator, nounhesitatingly, adverbhesitation, nounhesitative, adjective

Word Origin for hesitate

C17: from Latin haesitāre, from haerēre to cling to
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
Word Origin and History for hesitating

hesitate

v.

1620s, from Latin haesitatum, past participle of haesitare (see hesitation). Related: Hesitated; hesitating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper