hesitate
verb
hes·i·tate
ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt 
hesitated; hesitating
1
: to hold back in doubt or indecision
She didn't hesitate when they offered her the job.
2
: to delay momentarily : pause
He hesitated and waited for her to say something.
3
: stammer
: to hold back from (doing or saying something) in doubt or uncertainty
Don't hesitate to call if you need something.
hesitater
noun
Synonyms
Examples of hesitate in a Sentence
She hesitated and waited for her friend to say something.
He hesitated about accepting the job.
I sometimes hesitate to say what I am really thinking.
I hesitated to come without being asked.
I wouldn't hesitate to ask for your help if I felt I needed it.
Don't hesitate to call if there is a problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Don’t hesitate; strike while the iron is hot and the opportunity promises the highest return.
—
Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024
Beck hesitates to tee off on Musk but does offer a measured assessment.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2024
Now, in the midst of statutory ambiguity, agencies may hesitate to make rules at all, fearing prolonged litigation.
—David Blumenthal and Sara Rosenbaum, STAT, 6 Aug. 2024
Fans did not hesitate to show their true feelings through memes and TikToks every time Matt Smith's Prince Daemon had yet another screen time-eating hallucinatory trip at Harrenhal.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitate 
Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024
Beck hesitates to tee off on Musk but does offer a measured assessment.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2024
Now, in the midst of statutory ambiguity, agencies may hesitate to make rules at all, fearing prolonged litigation.
—David Blumenthal and Sara Rosenbaum, STAT, 6 Aug. 2024
Fans did not hesitate to show their true feelings through memes and TikToks every time Matt Smith's Prince Daemon had yet another screen time-eating hallucinatory trip at Harrenhal.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hesitate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hesitate
Cite this Entry
“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hesitate
verb
hes·i·tate
ˈhez-ə-ˌtāt
hesitated; hesitating
1
: to stop or pause because of uncertainty or indecision
hesitate before answering
2
: to be unwilling
hesitate to ask a favor
3
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