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. Mustafa Alani:

   I think we're going to see a more confrontational policy, faster decision-making and more long-term thinking. A leadership that won't hesitate from any confrontation.

2. Johnnie Kallas:

   I hesitate to say that this is a total transformation, we could see an open-ended strike of 350,000 Teamsters at UPS (UPS) later this year or at one of the Big Three automakers. But these [short, fixed duration strikes] are definitely becoming more common.

3. President Biden:

   I have asked the agencies in question to do a thorough read for me on every one of those issues, to update me precisely where they are, and I will not hesitate to raise those issues with the Russians.

4. Alessio Mamo:

   For a long time, I had in my mind the idea to follow a refugee family, the opportunity came when I met Somar for the first time in Jordan. A common friend introduced him to me. He told me the idea to reach his brother in Germany. So immediately I asked to follow them during their journey and do a photographic project about it. Somar did not hesitate one moment: He immediately said yes.

5. Elijah Cummings:

   The chairman asked me back in September to inquire as to whether Secretary Clinton would testify, she immediately said she would and that she wanted to come in December, but if December did not work, she would come in January. She said I'll do it, period. The fact is she was very clear. She did not hesitate for one second.