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, hesitate, 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, hesitate, 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

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How to use hesitate in a sentence?

1. Merrick Garland:

   If not blocked, the merger of JetBlue and Spirit would result in higher fares and fewer choices for tens of millions of travelers across the country. The Justice Department is suing to prevent that from happening, companies in every industry should understand by now that this Justice Department will not hesitate to enforce antitrust laws and protect American consumers.

2. Golda Meir:

   A leader who doesn't hesitate before he sends his nation into battle is not fit to be a leader.

3. Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda:

   We won't hesitate adjusting policy, including easing policy, if necessary to achieve our 2 percent price target.

4. Leona Allen and Elsa Gaule:

   We didn't even hesitate.

5. Director Regina LaBelle:

   Expanding the nation’s public health approach to substance use disorders and strengthening our public safety efforts to reduce the drug supply are essential parts of our strategy to bringing down the rates of overdose death, acting to permanently schedule FRS, combined with historic investments in the addiction infrastructure, as well as efforts to tackle illicit finance and disrupt drug trafficking, will stand as the most comprehensive effort to address substance use and its consequences in our nation’s history. In all these efforts, we look forward to working with Congress to support safe and healthy communities. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.