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
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.
Don’t hesitate to end partnerships with contractors who aren’t aligned with your vision or delivering results. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 In this way, the ellipsoid would change shape in jerky, hesitating motions, gradually exploring the space around it. Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 7 July 2025 People may hesitate to share ideas or information with you. Melody Wilding, CNBC, 6 July 2025 Asked recently on her podcast The RE-CAP Show which country taking home this Euros trophy would have the greatest effect on women’s soccer globally, former USWNT star Tobin Heath—who spent two seasons in the WSL from 2020 to 2022—didn’t hesitate. Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hesitate

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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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