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Hesitate

/ˈhɛzɪteɪt/

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

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Hesitate"

verb

1
To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
"He hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment."
2
To stammer; to falter in speaking.
3
To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.

🔄 Synonyms of "Hesitate"

3 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
pausenoun	(intransitive) To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.
swiver	—
waververb	(intransitive) (figurative) To feel or show doubt or indecision; to be indecisive between choices; to vacillate.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Hesitate"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
waververb	(intransitive) (figurative) To feel or show doubt or indecision; to be indecisive between choices; to vacillate.
pauseverb	(intransitive) To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.
vacillateverb	(intransitive) To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.
falterverb	To waver or be unsteady; to weaken or trail off.
shyverb	(intransitive) To avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.
doubtverb	(ambitransitive) To be undecided about; to lack confidence in; to disbelieve, to question.
procrastinateverb	(intransitive) To delay taking action; to wait until later.
delayverb	(transitive) To put off until a later time; to defer.
shrinkverb	(intransitive) To become smaller; to contract.
ditherverb	(figurative) To be uncertain or unable to make a decision; to vacillate, hesitate, or delay.
pleaseverb	(ambitransitive) To make happy or satisfy; to give pleasure to.
blinkverb	(intransitive) To close and reopen both eyes quickly.
dudeverb	To address someone as dude.
scruplenoun	Hesitation to act from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; doubt, hesitation or unwillingness due to motives of conscience; moral qualm.
teeternoun	(intransitive) To tilt back and forth on an edge.
hemnoun	(sewing) The border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together to finish the edge and prevent it from fraying.
oscillateverb	(intransitive) To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.
balkverb	(agriculture) An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.
stallnoun	(countable) A compartment for a single animal in a stable or cattle shed.
lingerverb	(intransitive) To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.