Hesitate
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈhɛz.ɪ.teɪt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Hesitate is a verb meaning (intransitive) To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
Meaning
(intransitive) To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
More Meanings
- (intransitive) To stammer; to falter in speaking.
- (transitive, poetic, rare) To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.
Example Sentences
Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
He hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment.
September 1, 1742, Alexander Pope, letter to Racine I shall not hesitate to declare myself very cordially, in regard to some particulars about which you have desired an answer.
Word Forms
- hesitates
- hesitating
- hesitated
Synonyms for hesitate
Depending on context, synonyms include demur, falter, mammer, scruple, waver, balbucinate.
Antonyms for hesitate
Common opposites include decide, brazen, resolve.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include waver, pause, vacillate, falter, shy, doubt.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.