hesitate

verb

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

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

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 adverb
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

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 Leave a comment View Comments The strategies above can be employed without the help of a trainer, but don’t hesitate to seek the support of a fitness professional. Dana Santas, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Consider the possibilities and don’t hesitate to act. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 In each case, companies that were early adopters were able to seize the opportunity, grow and thrive, while those that hesitated were often left behind. Toni Handler, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Alleviate your worries Don't hesitate to check on your child. Karen Horsch, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from colleagues, friends, or a study group. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 If you guys need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 For a time, Democrats who worried that Biden’s age would prevent his reëlection hesitated to speak out. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Even states that agree with Mr. Macron’s analysis may hesitate in the face of his volatility. Roger Cohen, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hesitate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hesitate was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near hesitate

Cite this Entry

“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
hesitater noun
hesitatingly adverb
hesitation
ˌhez-ə-ˈtā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hesitate

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