as in faltered
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitated
Like Camilla, Princess Kate reportedly hesitated to take the Princess of Wales title following Queen Elizabeth’s death because of its longtime association with Diana.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
Keep in mind, Andy, Woody’s first and beloved owner, wanted to keep Woody with him, even in college, and hesitated for a moment before giving him up to Bonnie in Toy Story 3.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball.
—
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
His mother, Rochelle Hinkle, hesitated at the idea of sending her 15-year-old son three hours away to live with a host family, during COVID, no less, but eventually warmed up to the idea.
—
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
That is why United have not hesitated in extending his deal, keeping him as the third-choice goalkeeper again next season.
—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Jase Bowen then laid down a bunt that would have been a sacrifice, getting Sheets to third base, had pitcher Tejay Antone and third baseman Eugenio Suarez not both sort of hesitated and then collided as Antone fielded the ball.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
When Minooka’s second baseman hesitated, Umbright dashed for home and beat the throw to the plate with a headfirst dive to tie the game at 1-1.
—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Like the fact that Thayil wasn’t totally impressed with Cornell’s singing at first when the late talent started out as the group’s singing drummer; Thayil hesitated when Cornell expressed wanting to make the switch to frontman instead.
—
Selena Fragassi,
SPIN,
9 June 2026
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
Keep in mind, Andy, Woody’s first and beloved owner, wanted to keep Woody with him, even in college, and hesitated for a moment before giving him up to Bonnie in Toy Story 3.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball.
—
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
His mother, Rochelle Hinkle, hesitated at the idea of sending her 15-year-old son three hours away to live with a host family, during COVID, no less, but eventually warmed up to the idea.
—
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
That is why United have not hesitated in extending his deal, keeping him as the third-choice goalkeeper again next season.
—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Jase Bowen then laid down a bunt that would have been a sacrifice, getting Sheets to third base, had pitcher Tejay Antone and third baseman Eugenio Suarez not both sort of hesitated and then collided as Antone fielded the ball.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
When Minooka’s second baseman hesitated, Umbright dashed for home and beat the throw to the plate with a headfirst dive to tie the game at 1-1.
—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Like the fact that Thayil wasn’t totally impressed with Cornell’s singing at first when the late talent started out as the group’s singing drummer; Thayil hesitated when Cornell expressed wanting to make the switch to frontman instead.
—
Selena Fragassi,
SPIN,
9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated
Verb
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Russell Henley also made a 4-under push on Sunday to finish 10-under, while Cam Young faltered in the final pairing with a 1-over round to finish 10-under as well.
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Brazobán faltered, however, allowing a walk and two hits, the last of which being a two-out RBI single by Trae Turner that put the Phillies up, 2-1.
Verb
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Street and Seventh Avenue closest to the arena were closed to pedestrians, some of whom waited nearby for a glimpse of the newlyweds or their guests.
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Five-year-old Tina Carter waited patiently with her mother Diana in a long line to carefully print her first name on a timecapsule scroll to be exhumed in 2076.
Cite this Entry
“Hesitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitated. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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