as in ambivalent
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Dissimilar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitating
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Igor Jesus fluffed his lines when Omari Hutchinson sent him through on goal, hesitating too long and allowing Virgil van Dijk to snatch the ball.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
However, if large enterprises are hesitating to commit and implement, that’s a broader industry headwind impacting everyone, not just SAP.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The appeals court, however, said staying the injunction serves the public interest by preventing federal agents from hesitating while carrying out lawful duties.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Although police still can use less-lethal weapons to contain unruly demonstrators, the city claimed the rules put officers at risk of hesitating in chaotic situations.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Survey respondents shared multiple ways that unemployment can have a negative impact including cancelling dates for financial reasons and hesitating to even ask someone out at all.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2026
Despite unified denouncements of antisemitism, Fetterman criticized colleagues for hesitating to fully confront anti-Israel hostility.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
In the viral clip on Instagram, Pearl was hesitating on the edge of the bed before eventually figuring out how to climb up.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Verb
The Names by Florence Knapp After a devastating storm, Cora brings her newborn son to be registered, hesitating when pressured to name him after her controlling husband.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Igor Jesus fluffed his lines when Omari Hutchinson sent him through on goal, hesitating too long and allowing Virgil van Dijk to snatch the ball.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
However, if large enterprises are hesitating to commit and implement, that’s a broader industry headwind impacting everyone, not just SAP.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The appeals court, however, said staying the injunction serves the public interest by preventing federal agents from hesitating while carrying out lawful duties.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Although police still can use less-lethal weapons to contain unruly demonstrators, the city claimed the rules put officers at risk of hesitating in chaotic situations.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Survey respondents shared multiple ways that unemployment can have a negative impact including cancelling dates for financial reasons and hesitating to even ask someone out at all.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2026
Despite unified denouncements of antisemitism, Fetterman criticized colleagues for hesitating to fully confront anti-Israel hostility.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
In the viral clip on Instagram, Pearl was hesitating on the edge of the bed before eventually figuring out how to climb up.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitating
Adjective
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Most are, at best, ambivalent about pedestrians.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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The Kurds are ambivalent about joining and view their role as that of a bridge.—
Felice Friedson,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tatum’s injury was supposed to be a big reason the conference was so wide-open, along with the Indiana Pacers faltering because of Tyrese Haliburton’s own Achilles injury.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Now, as the conflict has shown signs of widening to other countries, including Lebanon and Bahrain, traditional safe-haven assets are showing signs of faltering.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Now, a new study suggests researchers globally may have built these plans on a shaky foundation.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Fuentes was shaky at first, plunking Orioles third baseman Colin Yeaman with his third pitch.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Not so Grace, who always seems aware of an audience on the other side of the movie screen, waiting to be entertained.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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Authorities said four gunmen, identified as citizens of Tajikistan, shot people who were waiting for a show by a popular rock band and then set the building on fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Music is the focal point of each service, with Jeffrey playing guitar and keyboards behind the curtain, singing in a wavering voice reminiscent of Jeff Mangum about the subjects, ideas and feelings that have occupied his mind at various stages of his life.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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But by the time the Trojans had gotten into the pressures of February, the optimism was wavering.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fitzsimmons will still be subject to alcohol checks and random home inspections by probation officers.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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And then something random comes up and have to pause.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And like plenty of other dads of aimless 18-year-olds, Richard thought his son needed direction.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
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As in those sitcoms, our hero is a single, aimless, middle-aged dad.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitating. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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