as in falters
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 hesitates
If the alliance hesitates, Putin will see weakness and press harder.
—
David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The actress hesitates for only a second before divulging the story.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
But Andreia Alexander, an ER doctor in Indiana, told me that patients should not want a doctor who hesitates to save their life.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2025
Lower will talk about work all day but hesitates to reveal much about Britt L’s outie.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The actress hesitates for only a second before divulging the story.
—Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
But Andreia Alexander, an ER doctor in Indiana, told me that patients should not want a doctor who hesitates to save their life.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2025
Lower will talk about work all day but hesitates to reveal much about Britt L’s outie.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitates
Verb
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Thiago shines while Fernandes falters Brentford produced one of the standout results of the weekend with a convincing 3-1 victory over Manchester United.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Max Verstappen's victories in the last two Grands Prix have brought him back into the championship fight, although the 69-point gap to Piastri can only be achieved if McLaren falters on every race weekend.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jets could be missing QB Justin Fields to a concussion again (still uncertain as of Thursday; Tyrod Taylor waits).—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitates. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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