hesitate

[hez-i-teyt] / ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪt /

VERB

wait; be uncertain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

balk dither falter pause ponder stumble waffle waver

STRONG

alternate balance dally debate defer delay demur dillydally doubt equivocate flounder fluctuate fumble hang hedge hover linger oscillate pussyfoot scruple seesaw shift shrink stammer stop straddle stutter swerve tergiversate vacillate weigh

WEAK

be irresolute be reluctant be unwilling blow hot and cold hang back hem and haw hold back hold off pull back shy away sit on fence think about think twice

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue persist

STRONG

advance agree do well expedite face go go along hasten hurry meet remain rush stay

WEAK

attack carry on go ahead persevere resolve

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 food was available, they did not hesitate to feed on the remains of dead animals, even down to the last scraps.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

McKinney wouldn’t hesitate to protect the city’s residents, “regardless of who’s in the White House.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

US attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the investigation would be closed, but Powell said he believed she would "not hesitate to restart the investigation".

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“Note well, however, that I will not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Major Puff would not hesitate to claim ownership if he really wanted the almost perfect burrow.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Vocabulary lists containing hesitate

List 3

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"Fears and Phobias," Vocabulary from the article

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Frindle

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