hesitate

verb

hes·​i·​tate ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt 

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

: 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 

adverb

Synonyms

• falter
• wait

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

Seize Market Share When Competitors Retreat Expand globally when trends align and others hesitate. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

If the emotional impact of hair loss feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask for support. —Health, 26 June 2025

However, small businesses hesitate to seize the opportunity due to factors like limited finances, technical deficits, and lack of expertise. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 26 June 2025

Jarren Duran led off with a double but hesitated on Abraham Toro’s grounder to shortstop. —Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025

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

Rhymes for hesitate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

hesitate

verb

hes·​i·​tate ˈhez-ə-ˌtāt 

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 

adverb

hesitation

ˌhez-ə-ˈtā-shən

noun