as in to falter
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
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Recent Examples of hesitate
Nasrallah hesitated; the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, held back.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
When Edwards planned a public-service announcement for the campaign, the Lakes didn’t hesitate to volunteer to star in it.
—Devon Henderson, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
The short clip shows a dog hesitating at the foot of a staircase, visibly fearful of a thunderstorm rumbling outside.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
So far, Space Force officials have hesitated to provide any specifics, at least in public statements and congressional hearings.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitate
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
When Edwards planned a public-service announcement for the campaign, the Lakes didn’t hesitate to volunteer to star in it.
—Devon Henderson, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
The short clip shows a dog hesitating at the foot of a staircase, visibly fearful of a thunderstorm rumbling outside.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
So far, Space Force officials have hesitated to provide any specifics, at least in public statements and congressional hearings.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitate
Verb
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After Democrats took control of the Senate in 2021 with President Joe Biden in the White House, efforts to address the cap again faltered, despite efforts by Pritzker and other Democratic governors who wrote Biden a letter that spring calling for it to be eliminated.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
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Trump's ratings on some of the most significant issues facing the country also faltered, according to Gallup pollsters.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
27 July 2025
Verb
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His identity has not been released as family waits to be notified.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
14 July 2025
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While institutions might like the strategic positioning in India’s burgeoning aviation market, retail investors are perhaps waiting to come in at a lower price.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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