HAW Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

haw

verb

Definition of haw

as in to hem

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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.

Recent Examples of haw Republicans have been on edge for weeks as the Trump administration’s hemming and hawing on tariffs have created instability in the market and questions about the White House’s handling of the economy. — Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 May 2025 By Sam Reed March 18, 2025 Get ready to yee, to haw, to root, to toot: The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating its hundred-year anniversary with a mega-concert featuring so many of our country favorites. — Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025 Many of the season’s 10 45-minute episodes are dedicated to Jackie hemming and hawing between them. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2023 No more lengthy hemming and hawing by the pitcher. — Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2023 This isn’t the first time Temu has been dinged for hawing products tainted with hazardous chemicals. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for haw

Verb

Analysts say Burnham's policies, like Starmer's, could be hemmed in by bond market investors opposed to any additional borrowing.

— Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 22 June 2026
But with these names in the memory and semi-cap equipment space, we were hemmed in by our decision to embrace the underperforming hyperscalers.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 June 2026

Definition of hem

Verb

And women who suspect their period pain is more severe than normal should not hesitate to speak with a health care provider, especially if symptoms are affecting their quality of life.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
In the second half, Freese stepped off his line to control a ball, hesitated, stubbed his foot against the ground, and lost the ball.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

Whatever ailed this World Cup, the beautiful game was waiting with its healing powers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
Switzerland's Djibril Sow took a hard shot in the 19th minute that was hit like a line drive — right into the waiting arms of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026

Definition of wait

Verb

That has had a ripsaw effect on Musk, who is now vacillating between being the world’s first active trillionaire and the world’s first former-trillionaire.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 July 2026
The characters have little time to make life-or-death decisions, let alone ruminate, and the action vacillates between triage and doctors expertly improvising solutions — like Mel (Taylor Dearden) donating her own blood, and Javadi (Shabana Azeez) going MacGyver mode with a tracheal tube.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

Definition of vacillate

Browse Nearby Words

havocs

haw

hawed

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Style

“Haw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haw. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of haw

verb

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