as in faltered
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitated
Keep in mind, Andy, Woody’s first and beloved owner, wanted to keep Woody with him, even in college, and hesitated for a moment before giving him up to Bonnie in Toy Story 3.
—
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
His mother, Rochelle Hinkle, hesitated at the idea of sending her 15-year-old son three hours away to live with a host family, during COVID, no less, but eventually warmed up to the idea.
—Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
That is why United have not hesitated in extending his deal, keeping him as the third-choice goalkeeper again next season.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Jase Bowen then laid down a bunt that would have been a sacrifice, getting Sheets to third base, had pitcher Tejay Antone and third baseman Eugenio Suarez not both sort of hesitated and then collided as Antone fielded the ball.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
When Minooka’s second baseman hesitated, Umbright dashed for home and beat the throw to the plate with a headfirst dive to tie the game at 1-1.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
Like the fact that Thayil wasn’t totally impressed with Cornell’s singing at first when the late talent started out as the group’s singing drummer; Thayil hesitated when Cornell expressed wanting to make the switch to frontman instead.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 June 2026
When stadium suites for the FIFA World Cup went on sale last year, the prices were so high that even the owner of Mercedes-Benz Stadium hesitated to buy one.
—Thad Moore, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
His mother, Rochelle Hinkle, hesitated at the idea of sending her 15-year-old son three hours away to live with a host family, during COVID, no less, but eventually warmed up to the idea.
—Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
That is why United have not hesitated in extending his deal, keeping him as the third-choice goalkeeper again next season.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Jase Bowen then laid down a bunt that would have been a sacrifice, getting Sheets to third base, had pitcher Tejay Antone and third baseman Eugenio Suarez not both sort of hesitated and then collided as Antone fielded the ball.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
When Minooka’s second baseman hesitated, Umbright dashed for home and beat the throw to the plate with a headfirst dive to tie the game at 1-1.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
Like the fact that Thayil wasn’t totally impressed with Cornell’s singing at first when the late talent started out as the group’s singing drummer; Thayil hesitated when Cornell expressed wanting to make the switch to frontman instead.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 June 2026
When stadium suites for the FIFA World Cup went on sale last year, the prices were so high that even the owner of Mercedes-Benz Stadium hesitated to buy one.
—Thad Moore, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated
Verb
-
When Johnson faltered, Clark had plenty of breathing room — and a quick turnaround.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Still up seven games in the NL East, the Braves (46-27) are in an offensive funk over the past week, and the team’s good starting pitching has faltered some.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Keeping with their own lyrics, Warning waited two whole decades to release another LP.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
-
The man and another woman waited with her until police and paramedics arrived.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitated. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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