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
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
The Nuggets became prone to operating with one-dimensional caution, hesitating to shoot open 3s, immediately looking to return the ball to Jokic in the post and subsequently telegraphing entry passes.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Chamandy said that, because of the ambiguity associated with the tariffs, companies are still hesitating to change suppliers until the dust settles.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
The Nuggets became prone to operating with one-dimensional caution, hesitating to shoot open 3s, immediately looking to return the ball to Jokic in the post and subsequently telegraphing entry passes.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Chamandy said that, because of the ambiguity associated with the tariffs, companies are still hesitating to change suppliers until the dust settles.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitating
Adjective
-
Another friend felt more ambivalent about his casting.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Others, such as Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan, seem ambivalent or opportunistic.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unless regulators crack down on these deepfakes, the videos threaten to steer even more patients toward wasteful, potentially dangerous purchases — while further undermining the public’s already faltering trust in medical institutions.—
John Whyte,
STAT,
17 Feb. 2026
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The program also pledges to fulfill conditions for adopting the euro currency by 2030, and to invest in Hungary's faltering state health care and public transportation sectors.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The relationship between the administration and MAHA was already shaky, Ryerson, the activist, said.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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With just five games left in the regular season, the Aggies' NCAA Tournament chance remains shaky, recently drawing a 10-seed in Joe Lunardi's bracketology.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities were waiting to release the victims' names to give the families time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Rather than waiting for inheritance, grandparents are spending their money now to bring multi-generational families on cruises.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 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
-
And while plans in baseball are subject to change, the Tigers do not appear to be wavering, not even after a dramatic turn of events on one of the more noteworthy days in club history.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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This year, anxiety over the federal government and a wavering stock market is making people less secure in their finances, causing some tenants to move in with family or friends — leaving studio and one-bedroom apartments empty.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Threema uses a random ID rather than a phone number.—
Jennifer Lutz,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
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These simulations weren’t random.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But this new front office and coaching staff are at least attempting to transition from something aimless to structured, all in one offseason.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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The film, which shows an aimless day in the life of Austin, showcases some of its more eccentric characters.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitating. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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