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 a gatekeeper hesitates, breathe and restate your win.
—
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
In the finale, Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
How the Finale Changes Everything Nicky hesitates at the altar, sending Rachel spiraling.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Indeed, when a mother is afraid to take her child to the hospital, when a worker hesitates to report abuse, when a victim of violence stays silent, our entire society suffers.
—Peter Cook, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Though Pollan hesitates to claim that a fundamental aspect of human capability and human experience remains beyond science’s reach, A World Appears closely maps out such a territory.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
When pressed on what a new economic system for the age of AGI might look like, Hunter-Torricke hesitates.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Alex brings up their future, and Poppy hesitates to reply.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
In the finale, Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
How the Finale Changes Everything Nicky hesitates at the altar, sending Rachel spiraling.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Indeed, when a mother is afraid to take her child to the hospital, when a worker hesitates to report abuse, when a victim of violence stays silent, our entire society suffers.
—Peter Cook, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Though Pollan hesitates to claim that a fundamental aspect of human capability and human experience remains beyond science’s reach, A World Appears closely maps out such a territory.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
When pressed on what a new economic system for the age of AGI might look like, Hunter-Torricke hesitates.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Alex brings up their future, and Poppy hesitates to reply.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitates
Verb
-
As funding falters, the need for city government to step into the shoes of philanthropists like Gund and Lauder becomes even more vital.—
Gale Brewer,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
If the economy falters, political pressure on the president will build.—
Nancy Cook,
Bloomberg,
25 Mar. 2026
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.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
-
It is considered more likely that Moreno waits until after a new collective bargaining agreement is reached next year to determine whether to sell.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitates. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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