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.
But the government faces steep obstacles to successfully prosecute either after this setback, and experts hesitate to predict what could happen next due to the cases' unprecedented nature.
From BBC
Retailers will be hoping their Black Friday deals attract shoppers, but tariffs have raised concerns that consumers with lower incomes may hesitate to spend against a backdrop of elevated inflation.
From MarketWatch
"We appreciate the concern that this may cause the local community. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to speak to an officer."
From BBC
Although it provides valuable medical insight, many individuals hesitate to undergo the procedure because it requires extensive preparation and can feel invasive.
From Science Daily
"We will not hesitate to investigate and disrupt anyone seeking to harm or undermine these values and our national security," said Commander Dominic Murphy.
From BBC
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.
