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
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
In a season when other businesses hesitated, Stacie expanded.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Desertions became so rampant that officers hesitated to have soldiers police crowds for fear that the soldiers would join the protesters.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
For those who have hesitated due to financial concerns, now may be the right time to take the leap.
—Jaime Catmull, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Charlotte has hesitated to drop parking minimums.
—Alexandria Sands, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
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
In a season when other businesses hesitated, Stacie expanded.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Desertions became so rampant that officers hesitated to have soldiers police crowds for fear that the soldiers would join the protesters.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
For those who have hesitated due to financial concerns, now may be the right time to take the leap.
—Jaime Catmull, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Charlotte has hesitated to drop parking minimums.
—Alexandria Sands, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated
Verb
-
Hopes of a rail revolution that three years ago was poised to transform connectivity between major cities seem to have faltered.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The New England Patriots faltered in the second half to start the Mike Vrabel era with a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The epilogue reveals that Conrad has waited two years before sending Belly a handwritten letter.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The couple waited until February 2016 to claim their share of the grand prize.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
Treasure Coast Newspapers,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitated. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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