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
Patients often hesitate to share feedback openly in these areas, fearing judgment or a loss of privacy.
—
Lauren Parr, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Yes, there are lots of uses for buttermilk, don't hesitate.
—Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
And because hybrid warfare is by its nature designed to evade clear attribution of responsibility, officials have hesitated to launch powerful responses without having indisputable evidence of an adversary’s identity.
—Lara Jakes, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Trump and his team have not hesitated in the past to stoke fear about immigrants.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hesitate 
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Lauren Parr, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Yes, there are lots of uses for buttermilk, don't hesitate.
—Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
And because hybrid warfare is by its nature designed to evade clear attribution of responsibility, officials have hesitated to launch powerful responses without having indisputable evidence of an adversary’s identity.
—Lara Jakes, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Trump and his team have not hesitated in the past to stoke fear about immigrants.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hesitate
Dictionary Entries Near hesitate
Cite this Entry
“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitate. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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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