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
While much of Manhattan hesitated, the ultra-wealthy kept moving—and in some cases, moving quickly when the right opportunity appeared.
—
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
When the girl hesitated, embarrassed, the boy insisted.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Others hesitated due to dangerous positioning.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach the food.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
But the friend hesitated, so his wife stepped in and freed Hugo.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026
From coordinating painting, flooring and cabinet removal to troubleshooting daily obstacles during the summer, Higman answered every call, provided solutions and never hesitated to step in, according to Filamor.
—Cyril A. Reinicke, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Allies, too, have hesitated to turn to force to reopen the strait.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
When the girl hesitated, embarrassed, the boy insisted.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Others hesitated due to dangerous positioning.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach the food.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
When the person made eye contact, gulls hesitated and took longer to approach.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
But the friend hesitated, so his wife stepped in and freed Hugo.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026
From coordinating painting, flooring and cabinet removal to troubleshooting daily obstacles during the summer, Higman answered every call, provided solutions and never hesitated to step in, according to Filamor.
—Cyril A. Reinicke, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Allies, too, have hesitated to turn to force to reopen the strait.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitated
Verb
-
The right-hander — a former first-round pick by the Pirates in 2017 — missed out on his first victory with the Orioles since being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay when Baltimore's defense faltered late.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Efforts to identify a leadership alternative inside Iran have faltered.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Andrej Stojaković’s putback attempt rolled around the rim before coming to a dead stop on the back of the basket as everyone in the massive football stadium held their breath and waited for gravity to make a call.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the only star whose show wasn’t choreographed waited.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitated. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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