as in faltering
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ambivalent
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 hesitating
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 9 Oct. 2025
Meyers acted his dang butt off in this sketch, and the audience paid him back with unsure and hesitating titters — not crickets, but not enthusiasm either.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Even all-world corner Pat Surtain II didn’t have his best day, with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones not hesitating to go after him on routes over the middle.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
As adults, this pattern can look like hesitating to ask for help, avoiding vulnerability or keeping emotional struggles private, even from those closest to you.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Concerns about the economy and tariffs do have some companies hesitating to make long-term decisions, but even with that concern, more are taking on long-term leases than were a year ago, CBRE found.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Because life—even for us jaded adults—should be for the seizing, not for hesitating in the face of fear.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 9 Oct. 2025
Meyers acted his dang butt off in this sketch, and the audience paid him back with unsure and hesitating titters — not crickets, but not enthusiasm either.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Even all-world corner Pat Surtain II didn’t have his best day, with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones not hesitating to go after him on routes over the middle.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
As adults, this pattern can look like hesitating to ask for help, avoiding vulnerability or keeping emotional struggles private, even from those closest to you.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Concerns about the economy and tariffs do have some companies hesitating to make long-term decisions, but even with that concern, more are taking on long-term leases than were a year ago, CBRE found.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitating
Verb
-
After faltering in the semifinals of the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Wilson and the Aces capped off a dominant postseason run Friday by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 win.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
-
History will probably remember this Ravens team for faltering because of injuries, namely to their starting quarterback.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The family—an ambivalent institution bar none—shapes us, and yet our individuality resists that shaping.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Pillsbury was similarly ambivalent about the label.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Step seven is applying a post-wash bond repair treatment to the hair and waiting at least 10 minutes before going in with the following post-wash products, including leave-in conditioner and heat protectant.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Per Pete Nakos of On3, LSU is waiting to decide on Kelly until after the regular season, but the program could make coaching changes on Sunday.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His previous political power was shaky, and left him with a weak presidential veto, which was repeatedly overturned by the National Congress in his first two years in office.—
NPR,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Jordan Walsh’s first minutes of the young season were shakier.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is the Alcaraz who is unbeatable, a man who cut out the vacillating streaks in his game that derailed him in Melbourne and Wimbledon.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Stocco said in a wavering voice.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Rather than conciliate a wavering citizenry, two years of occupation had instead inspired tens of thousands of other colonists to join the resistance to British rule.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Legalized betting has certain security advantages in that unusual betting patterns — such as large bets being placed on a random player’s performance — can be immediately flagged.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Still, a player ascending from top-15 or top-10-ish status in the league to a legit MVP candidate is arguably an even more difficult, more challenging and vertiginous jump than making the leap from random scrub to solid starter.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This one must have hurt for Titans fans, seeing their former head coach, sporting his familiar navy blue vest on the opposing sideline, coaching his new team in a blowout win while their own team still looks aimless.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
After some aimless small talk, the old woman soon gets down to her real, sinister business.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitating. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share