Synonyms of hesitated

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• faltered
• waited
• paused
• vacillated
• scrupled
• dithered
• debated
• wavered
• hung back
• halted
• staggered
• swayed
• wobbled
• lingered
• pondered
• teetered
• balanced
• procrastinated
• hawed
• delayed
• dawdled
• deliberated
• shilly-shallied
• hemmed
• weighed
• equivocated
• considered
• waffled
• backed down
• dallied
• hedged
• chickened (out)
• oscillated
• pussyfooted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decided
• plunged (in)
• continued
• stirred
• dived (in)
• advanced
• budged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hesitated

The French back line hesitated for a brief second, anticipating a potential foul, but Porro pressed the advantage and side-footed a shot past Mike Maignan in the 58th minute for the backbreaking goal. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Family described him as a kind and humble man who worked hard and never hesitated to help others. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

My last bosses had created a toxic work environment in which people hesitated to speak up, question authority, or make mistakes. — Leslie Friday, CNBC, 10 July 2026

In the second half, Freese stepped off his line to control a ball, hesitated, stubbed his foot against the ground, and lost the ball. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

New York has never hesitated to invest in preserving the moments that define us. — Tunisia Morrison, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

Like Camilla, Princess Kate reportedly hesitated to take the Princess of Wales title following Queen Elizabeth’s death because of its longtime association with Diana. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 24 June 2026

Keep in mind, Andy, Woody’s first and beloved owner, wanted to keep Woody with him, even in college, and hesitated for a moment before giving him up to Bonnie in Toy Story 3. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball. — Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026