Synonyms for hesitate
ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪthes·i·tate

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:3.5 / 2 votes

1. hesitateverb

   Synonyms:
   stammer, doubt, scruple, demur, falter, waver, mammer, deliberate

2. hesitateverb

   To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.

   Synonyms:
   mammer, deliberate, demur, scruple, falter, stammer, waver, doubt

3. hesitateverb

   To stammer; to falter in speaking.

   Synonyms:
   deliberate, mammer, scruple, demur, waver, stammer, falter, doubt

4. hesitateverb

   To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.

   Synonyms:
   mammer, stammer, waver, deliberate, demur, doubt, falter, scruple

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. hesitate

   To fluctuate (Latin fluctus, a wave) is to move like a wave with alternate rise and fall. A pendulum oscillates; waves fluctuate or undulate; a light or a flame wavers; a frightened steed swerves from his course; a tool or weapon swerves from the mark or line; the temperature varies; the wind veers when it suddenly changes its direction. That which veers may steadily hold the new direction; that which oscillates, fluctuates, undulates, or wavers returns upon its way. As regards mental states, he who hesitates sticks (Latin hærere) on the verge of decision; he who wavers does not stick to a decision; he who vacillates decides now one way, and now another; one vacillates between contrasted decisions or actions; he may waver between decision and indecision, or between action and inaction. Persons hesitate, vacillate, waver; feelings fluctuate or vary. Compare SHAKE.

   Synonyms:
   fluctuate, oscillate, swerve, undulate, vacillate, vary, veer, waver

   Antonyms:
   abide, adhere, hold fast, persist, stand fast, stay, stick

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.5 / 2 votes

1. hesitate

   Synonyms:
   dubitate, waver, demur, scruple, falter, stammer, pause, doubt

   Antonyms:
   decide, determine, run, flow, career

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. hesitate, waver, waffleverb

   pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

   "Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures"

   Synonyms:
   waver, quaver, fluctuate, waffle, weave, quiver, pause, flutter, flicker, flitter, falter, vacillate

2. hesitate, pauseverb

   interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

   "The speaker paused"

   Synonyms:
   waver, break, pause, intermit, waffle

Matched Categories

1. • Delay

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hesitateverb

   Synonyms:
   pause, delay, demur, doubt, waver, vacillate, be undetermined, stop to consider, be in doubt, be in suspense, be doubtful

2. hesitateverb

   Synonyms:
   falter, stammer, have an impediment in speech

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hesitateverb

   Synonyms:
   doubt, vacillate, falter, dubitate, waver, scruple, demur, deliberate

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "hesitate":

   waver, dither

How to pronounce hesitate?

How to say hesitate in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use hesitate in a sentence?

1. Luke Bryan:

   Being a part of such a historical night that honors my peers and Country Music is such a privilege, when I was asked if Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning was someone I would consider co-hosting with I didn't hesitate. We have become great friends through the years and what Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning brings to the table is gon na make it even more of a blast. I know Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning's been to the CMA Awards before, but Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning's never been with me. Hey Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, I hope you're ready for the night of your life !

2. Christopher McCandless:

   Don't hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses. Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You will be very, very glad that you did.

3. Anthony Bourdain:

   Something was missing in me, whether it was a self-image situation, whether it was a character flaw... some dark genie inside me -- that I very much hesitate to call a disease -- that led me to dope.

4. Kathy Lunceford:

   I had a client who fell on the ship, while in Panama, and literally poked a hole in his forehead, they took him off the ship and he was hospitalized for about a week in Panama, and then he and his wife flew home. They called me and said, ‘Thank you so much for making us buy travel insurance! If you ever need a referral, don't hesitate to call us.’ The insurance company handled everything for them.

5. Victoria Soto:

   She would not hesitate to think to save anyone else before herself, and especially children. She loved them more than life, and she would definitely put herself in front of them any day.