hesitate

1 of 2

verb

hes·​i·​tate ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt How to pronounce hesitate (audio)
hesitated; hesitating
Synonyms of hesitate

intransitive verb

1
: to hold back in doubt or indecision
She didn't hesitate when they offered her the job.
2
: to delay momentarily : pause
He hesitated and waited for her to say something.
3
: stammer

transitive verb

: to hold back from (doing or saying something) in doubt or uncertainty
Don't hesitate to call if you need something.
hesitater noun
hesitatingly
ˈhe-zə-ˌtā-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce hesitate (audio)
adverb

hesitater

2 of 2

noun

hes·​i·​tat·​er
variants or less commonly hesitator
-ātə(r), 
-ātə-
plural -s
: one that hesitates

Synonyms of hesitate

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for hesitate

hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty.

hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

Examples of hesitate in a Sentence

Verb She hesitated and waited for her friend to say something. He hesitated about accepting the job. I sometimes hesitate to say what I am really thinking. I hesitated to come without being asked. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for your help if I felt I needed it. Don't hesitate to call if there is a problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Esther, on the other hand, didn’t hesitate. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026 When King asked if the unnamed celebrity was the one, Brown didn't hesitate. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 Conwell doesn’t hesitate to put up threes either, taking nearly 10 three-pointers per game last season. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 Adjusting to a baby can be trying, but if your depressive symptoms persist for weeks, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin haesitatus, past participle of haesitare to stick fast, hesitate, frequentative of haerēre to stick

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hesitate was in 1598

Rhymes for hesitate

See All Rhymes for hesitate

Browse Nearby Words

hesitantly
hesitate
hesitater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hesitate

verb
hes·​i·​tate ˈhez-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce hesitate (audio)
hesitated; hesitating
1
: to stop or pause because of uncertainty or indecision
hesitate before answering
2
: to be unwilling
hesitate to ask a favor
3
: stammer entry 1
hesitater noun
hesitatingly
-ˌtāt-iŋ-lē How to pronounce hesitate (audio)
adverb
hesitation
ˌhez-ə-ˈtā-shən
noun

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Nglish: Translation of hesitate for Spanish Speakers

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