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hesitate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of hesitate

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 of hesitate

balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)
Words Related to hesitate

haw, hem

dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait

back down, chicken (out)

consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh

oscillate, sway

equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle
Near Antonyms of hesitate

decide

budge, stir

advance, continue
Antonyms of hesitate

dive (in), plunge (in)

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about hesitate

  1. See words that rhyme with hesitate Dictionary: Definition of hesitate Spanish Central: Translation of hesitate Nglish: Translation of hesitate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hesitate for Arabic speakers

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