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 woman hesitated at first but then let Sylvain into her apartment.
—
Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Sanchez hesitated at first about the idea of being on camera, but his loyalty to Gutiérrez proved stronger than the reservations.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Kim hasn’t hesitated to wade into New Jersey’s electoral politics scene.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 10 Dec. 2025
After the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi security services, some Silicon Valley firms hesitated to work with Gulf governments.
—Daniel Benaim, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
Klingberg took a pass from Macklin Celebrini inside the Capitals’ blue line, and hesitated for a moment before Duhaime got on top of him and knocked the puck off his stick and into the neutral zone.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
Walshe hesitated on the tape when asked to turn his phone over to police, citing his ongoing legal issues.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Advertisement When constructing the final moments of Season 2, Schreier hesitated to leave viewers in such a distressing place.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
Vargas hesitated to say much more, but noted the effect the federal actions have had on business the past few days, sweeping her hands out toward the space normally filled with diners munching on croquettes, Cuban sandwiches and ropa vieja.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 19 Nov. 2025
Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Sanchez hesitated at first about the idea of being on camera, but his loyalty to Gutiérrez proved stronger than the reservations.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Kim hasn’t hesitated to wade into New Jersey’s electoral politics scene.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 10 Dec. 2025
After the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi security services, some Silicon Valley firms hesitated to work with Gulf governments.
—Daniel Benaim, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
Klingberg took a pass from Macklin Celebrini inside the Capitals’ blue line, and hesitated for a moment before Duhaime got on top of him and knocked the puck off his stick and into the neutral zone.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
Walshe hesitated on the tape when asked to turn his phone over to police, citing his ongoing legal issues.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Advertisement When constructing the final moments of Season 2, Schreier hesitated to leave viewers in such a distressing place.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
Vargas hesitated to say much more, but noted the effect the federal actions have had on business the past few days, sweeping her hands out toward the space normally filled with diners munching on croquettes, Cuban sandwiches and ropa vieja.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 19 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated
Verb
-
Negotiations over the subsidies, a Biden-era benefit that lapsed at the end of 2025, have faltered once before and were at the center of a 43-day government shutdown last year, the longest on record.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs last month, as the once-dominant team led by Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes faltered in close games throughout the year.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Because Sutton required medical treatment, deputies waited until a later date to seek warrants for her arrest.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Another rescue tech would be lifted and dropped to the ridge where the female climber waited.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitated. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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