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.
Many third-party managers hesitate to adopt centralized models, citing concerns about disruption or owner pushback. Tyler Christiansen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 Social media users didn't hesitate to share their thoughts on the eBay sale. Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 July 2025 Some Senate Republicans have hesitated to support a bill with such significant cuts to public media. Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 After seeing a video of a shelter dog who was due to be euthanized, a heartbroken woman didn't hesitate before driving 10 hours to spare his life. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 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 25 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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