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
hes·i·tat·er
variants
or less commonly hesitator
-ātə(r),
-ātə-
plural -s
: one that hesitates
Examples of hesitate in a Sentence
Verb
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
Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 14 June 2026
Homeowners should also make sure they’re signed up for evacuation alerts from their local fire department, the chiefs added, and should not hesitate to evacuate at the sight or smell of smoke — regardless of whether an official evacuation has been ordered.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Most American soccer fans wouldn’t hesitate in saying that the United States winning the World Cup would clearly be a much bigger shock than the group of literal amateurs upsetting the greatest ice hockey team on watch at the 1980 winter games.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Lewis, who balked at a similar request in August 2024, didn’t hesitate to say yes this time.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitate
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
While in town, Harry was invited to the fifth game in the series by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and the sports fan didn't hesitate to accept the ticket to the game of the year.
—Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 14 June 2026
Homeowners should also make sure they’re signed up for evacuation alerts from their local fire department, the chiefs added, and should not hesitate to evacuate at the sight or smell of smoke — regardless of whether an official evacuation has been ordered.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Most American soccer fans wouldn’t hesitate in saying that the United States winning the World Cup would clearly be a much bigger shock than the group of literal amateurs upsetting the greatest ice hockey team on watch at the 1980 winter games.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Lewis, who balked at a similar request in August 2024, didn’t hesitate to say yes this time.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitate
Cite this Entry
“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitate. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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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