HESITATED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

hesitated

verb

past tense of hesitate

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hesitated That's over twice the value of gold from just one year ago, and now investors who once hesitated to buy gold are weighing whether the opportunity has already passed — or whether the metal still has room to run. —

Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 Then the Canadian hesitated, ever so slightly. —

Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026 Jackson hesitated — the job required him to leave the seminary six months short of graduation. —

Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026 Even then, his father, Chris Oettinger, hesitated to believe his Olympic dreams would become a reality — until the roster was announced last month. —

Lia Assimakopoulos dallas Stars, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026 Asked if this was a statement game, Dahlin hesitated. —

Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026 While competitors hesitated, Tesla built data depth and operational learning that now underpin its long-term advantage. —

Matthew C. Meade, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Crew members hesitated, unsure how to navigate the transition. —

Okla Jones, Essence, 20 Jan. 2026 Republicans who haven’t hesitated in breaking with their party show no signs of changing their strategy, posing a challenge for Johnson. —

Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated

Verb

But UConn faltered in the second half, surrendering a 20-4 run and at one point going nearly eight minutes between field goals.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
The Aussie actor has had quite the year, with acclaimed performances in films such as Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights—and amidst the many press tours and busy award season events, his personal style has never faltered.

— Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026