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
Dean Kim, master baker and founder of OC Baking Company, said that Schwarz was the kind of chef who never hesitated to show up for others.
—
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
After a dramatic Easter weekend for the war in Iran—downed American fighter jets, a daring rescue behind enemy lines, and strikes on universities and petrochemical plants—traders hesitated at Monday’s opening bell.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Meadow initially hesitated to have an in-person doctor's visit, but ultimately made an appointment.
—Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
While much of Manhattan hesitated, the ultra-wealthy kept moving—and in some cases, moving quickly when the right opportunity appeared.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
When the girl hesitated, embarrassed, the boy insisted.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Others hesitated due to dangerous positioning.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach the food.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
After a dramatic Easter weekend for the war in Iran—downed American fighter jets, a daring rescue behind enemy lines, and strikes on universities and petrochemical plants—traders hesitated at Monday’s opening bell.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Meadow initially hesitated to have an in-person doctor's visit, but ultimately made an appointment.
—Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
While much of Manhattan hesitated, the ultra-wealthy kept moving—and in some cases, moving quickly when the right opportunity appeared.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
When the girl hesitated, embarrassed, the boy insisted.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Others hesitated due to dangerous positioning.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach the food.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated
Verb
-
Their arrival comes after the team’s bullpen faltered twice in the late innings over the weekend in Cincinnati’s series sweep.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Red Sox ace faltered early by allowing a couple of doubles, but from there the left-hander settled down and seemed to find his groove.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the Thunder rested and waited.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Relatives and friends of prisoners waited outside the main gate at Insein Prison, in the northern outskirts of Yangon, since morning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitated. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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