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hesitate

[hez-i-teyt] / ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪt /


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.

See Examples For:

If a child repeatedly struggles in a particular setting, parents should not hesitate to consider another center that may provide a better fit.

From Science Daily Aug. 28, 2026

Yet when it comes to building the infrastructure that AI requires, we hesitate.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 25, 2026

Asked to name his own favorite Brooks film, LeMaire doesn’t hesitate: “Young Frankenstein.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 21, 2026

German pensioner Petra Mertens did not hesitate when ordered to evacuate her home in the sleepy western border town of Monschau as an enormous fire advanced from neighbouring Belgium.

From Barron's Aug. 17, 2026

Something about the man’s behavior made me hesitate.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

He hesitates to call what he was doing playing at the professional level.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 18, 2026

“I’ve got one or two things around that I think would work — maybe,” he hesitates.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 10, 2026

Most people recognize the familiar situation at a restaurant or dinner party when one plate arrives early and the person served hesitates to start eating.

From Science Daily Jan. 12, 2026

That is the case for Lucia May, aged four, who hesitates as she looks at skulls peeking from wooden boxes, some still with some hair.

From Barron's Oct. 22, 2025

The man in the grey suit hesitates only a moment before he nods.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Catalina Sanchez, a 64-year-old secretary who celebrated with her daughters until 4:00 am, hesitated to remove her sunglasses as she headed to work.

From Barron's Jul. 20, 2026

He hesitated before adding, “And you’ll have to call my college. Tell them I won’t be able to attend.”

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 17, 2026

During some calls, Sheinbaum hasn’t hesitated to interrupt Trump to clarify issues of relevance for Mexico.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 28, 2026

Londoner Chisora - now with 14 defeats - had said beforehand it would be his last fight, but he hesitated to confirm his retirement when joined in the ring by his family.

From BBC Apr. 4, 2026

The minute the words left his mouth, he hesitated.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Some argue the Bank of Japan is hesitating because it fears higher rates on Japanese government debt would further undermine the country’s finances.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 4, 2026

"I'm hesitating because I'm speaking on behalf of other people and that's very difficult to do," he said.

From BBC Apr. 18, 2026

They held them up to the light, pressed them between their fingers, hesitating — until, one by one, they took a bite.

From Salon Mar. 17, 2026

That removed a near-term overhang on the stock, but private lenders are hesitating to back its plans, according to Schwartz.

From MarketWatch Feb. 25, 2026

In and out, we are swept;. . . we cannot step outside its sinuous, its hesitating, its abrupt, its perfectly encircling walls.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven




Vocabulary lists containing hesitate


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