Need another word for Hesitate? Use these synonyms of Hesitate from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
pause
delay
falter
waver
vacillate
procrastinate
linger
loiter
dawdle
tarry
hang back
hold back
slow down
drag one's feet
think twice
have second thoughts
be uncertain
be indecisive
stall
temporize
hedge
equivocate
parry
dodge
shy away
shy off
baulk
demur
recoil
flinch
blink
shy
hesitate
hum
haw
stall
dither
wobble
seesaw
blow hot and cold
Meaning of Hesitate
The primary meaning of "hesitate" is to pause or wait before doing something because you are unsure or do not want to do it.
Definitions
- To stop or pause before doing something, especially because you are not sure or do not want to do it
- * To be slow or unwilling to do something
- * To speak or act in a way that shows you are not sure or decided
Etymology of Hesitate
The word "hesitate" comes from the Latin word "haesitare", which means to stick or stumble, and is derived from "haerere", meaning to stick
The word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe a pause or delay in action or speech
Example Uses
- She hesitated before answering the question, unsure of what to say
- * He hesitated for a moment before jumping into the water
- * The company hesitated to invest in the new project, citing financial concerns
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
decide
act
rush
hurry
hasten
speed
expedite
facilitate
accelerate
urge
prompt
precipitate
dash
dart
plunge
charge
careen
career
accelerate
facilitate
dispatch
settle
determine
resolve
clinch
finalize
confirm
affirm
ratify
validate