Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hesitate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hesitate are falter, vacillate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When might falter be a better fit than hesitate?

The words falter and hesitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

In what contexts can vacillate take the place of hesitate?

The synonyms vacillate and hesitate are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

Where would waver be a reasonable alternative to hesitate?

Although the words waver and hesitate have much in common, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

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 hesitate Some parents aren't comfortable with the practice, while others don't hesitate to dispense kisses. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025 Leanne doesn’t hesitate to commit to her new role, and things begin to get increasingly bizarre from there. Barry Levitt, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 Signings — an estimate of spending commitments under consulting contracts — would have been higher in the first quarter if not for clients hesitating before making buying decisions, Kavanaugh said on the conference call. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 This creates bottlenecks, where employees hesitate to act without approval. Carlos Hoyos, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hesitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitate
Verb
  • Musk’s comments about his time allotment come just hours after a group of eight Democratic state treasurers wrote to the chair of Tesla’s board about the company’s faltering performance.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The Business Drama: Volatility, Strategy, and Turnaround What followed was a decade of operational rework—sometimes faltering, sometimes brilliant.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Just wait until her college studies are behind her.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hesitate

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