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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Recent Examples of hesitated
The company had traditionally hesitated to include browns in its product range, but in her first year, after nixing the violet, Waight Keller introduced mocha brown, chocolaty brown, and a winey brown that looked like it had been poured from a decanter.
—
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Tran said some Republican clubs have even hesitated to ask their universities for support or security for their events.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The 87-year-old change-making violence-interrupter — who spent 20 years as a Milwaukee County correctional officer and dedicated her life to the betterment of others — never hesitated to step into the middle of confrontation.
—Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But in spite of the visits, Michell hesitated to share his findings.
—Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
Some executives hesitated, unsure of what to expect.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
While America has not hesitated to use oceanographic ships to send messages by transiting the Taiwan Strait or probing interesting waters near rivals, China has been far more adept at employing research ships to challenge status quo.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This style is a favorite among fashionexperts, who haven't hesitated to follow the teachings of Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow by combining cigarette jeans with Converse sneakers, as well as a leather jacket and black bodysuit.
—Michel Mejía, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025
On the second-and-3 play from the SDSU 42-yard line, Denegal took the snap out of the shotgun, hesitated for a moment, then ran up the middle.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Tran said some Republican clubs have even hesitated to ask their universities for support or security for their events.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The 87-year-old change-making violence-interrupter — who spent 20 years as a Milwaukee County correctional officer and dedicated her life to the betterment of others — never hesitated to step into the middle of confrontation.
—Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But in spite of the visits, Michell hesitated to share his findings.
—Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
Some executives hesitated, unsure of what to expect.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
While America has not hesitated to use oceanographic ships to send messages by transiting the Taiwan Strait or probing interesting waters near rivals, China has been far more adept at employing research ships to challenge status quo.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This style is a favorite among fashionexperts, who haven't hesitated to follow the teachings of Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow by combining cigarette jeans with Converse sneakers, as well as a leather jacket and black bodysuit.
—Michel Mejía, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025
On the second-and-3 play from the SDSU 42-yard line, Denegal took the snap out of the shotgun, hesitated for a moment, then ran up the middle.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated
Verb
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The only categories that The Studio faltered in were the Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy categories.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Iranian officials have long pledged to restore the lake, but revival efforts have faltered.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Borrowers visited bank branches, submitted paperwork, and waited for credit committees to decide.—
AJ Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
This designation allowed those companies to legally sell their existing spirits, while the rest of the alcohol industry either waited it out, sold their stock to a company with a license, or dabbled in the underground spirits world.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitated. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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