Synonyms of hesitate

hesitate

verb

ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt 

as in to falter

to show uncertainty about the right course of action

I didn't hesitate to tell them that what they were doing was wrong and that I wanted no part of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• falter
• wait
• scruple
• vacillate
• pause
• waver
• dither
• hang back
• debate
• halt
• wabble
• stagger
• sway
• linger
• shilly-shally
• wobble
• ponder
• balance
• delay
• procrastinate
• teeter
• dawdle
• haw
• consider
• weigh
• deliberate
• equivocate
• hem
• back down
• chicken (out)
• oscillate
• hedge
• waffle
• pussyfoot
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decide
• continue
• stir
• plunge (in)
• dive (in)
• advance
• budge

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hesitate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hesitate are falter, vacillate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When might falter be a better fit than hesitate?

The words falter and hesitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

In what contexts can vacillate take the place of hesitate?

The synonyms vacillate and hesitate are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

Where would waver be a reasonable alternative to hesitate?

Although the words waver and hesitate have much in common, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

Examples of hesitate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ulta’s sale on Tula essentials is only available for a limited time, so don’t hesitate to scoop up your new fall skin care staples below. —Claire Sullivan, WWD, 20 Sep. 2024

Tips To Keep in Mind While Shopping: Look for Maker’s Marks While at the thrift store, don’t hesitate to turn an item over to inspect it further. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2024

When the apertures shrank in height, the cats hesitated before trying to pass through. —Byscience News Staff, science.org, 19 Sep. 2024

And a few, like Faith in Pennsylvania, are moderate Republicans who don’t like Trump but still hesitate to vote for a Democrat like Harris who has sometimes veered toward her party’s progressive wing. —Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024