hesitate (Meaning)
hesitate (v)
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
hesitate (v. i.)
To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment.
To stammer; to falter in speaking.
hesitate (v. t.)
To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.
Synonyms & Antonyms of hesitate
Synonyms:
- weigh
- linger
- hem
- oscillate
- deliberate
- teeter
- delay
- haw
- chicken (out)
- balance
- back down
- shilly-shally
- consider
- equivocate
- procrastinate
- wobble
- dawdle
- ponder
Antonyms:
hesitate Sentence Examples
- She didn't hesitate to jump into the cold water to save her friend.
- The child hesitated before answering the difficult question.
- The politician hesitated to respond to the allegations, fearing it would damage their reputation.
- I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should open the mysterious box.
- The robber hesitated at the sight of the security guard, weighing the risks of being caught.
- The doctor hesitated before giving the patient the diagnosis, knowing it would be devastating news.
- The hiker hesitated at the fork in the trail, unsure which path to take.
- The employee hesitated to ask for a raise, fearing rejection.
- The artist hesitated for a moment, contemplating the perfect shade of blue to use on their masterpiece.
- The scientist hesitated to publish their groundbreaking findings, worried about the ethical implications.
FAQs About the word hesitate
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness, interrupt temporarily an activity before continuingTo stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in
falter, wait, dither, vacillate, stagger, pause,scruple, hang back, sway, halt
decide, continue, continue, decide, dive (in), advance, advance, plunge (in), dive (in), stir
She didn't hesitate to jump into the cold water to save her friend.
The child hesitated before answering the difficult question.
The politician hesitated to respond to the allegations, fearing it would damage their reputation.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should open the mysterious box.
