HESITATE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'hesitate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hesitate are falter , vacillate , and waver . While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing. // hesitated before answering the question

Q: When might 'falter' be a better fit than 'hesitate'?

The words falter and hesitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear. // never once faltered during her testimony

Q: In what contexts can 'vacillate' take the place of 'hesitate'?

The synonyms vacillate and hesitate are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision. // vacillated until events were out of control

Q: Where would 'waver' be a reasonable alternative to 'hesitate'?

Although the words waver and hesitate have much in common, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat. // wavered in his support of the rebels

hesitate

verb

ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt

Definition of hesitate

as in to falter

to show uncertainty about the right course of action I didn't hesitate to tell them that what they were doing was wrong and that I wanted no part of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb hesitate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hesitate are falter, vacillate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When might falter be a better fit than hesitate?

The words falter and hesitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

In what contexts can vacillate take the place of hesitate?

The synonyms vacillate and hesitate are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

Where would waver be a reasonable alternative to hesitate?

Although the words waver and hesitate have much in common, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hesitate Please have a plan in place should flash flooding develop and do not hesitate to act. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026 White did hesitate at the prospect of playing another real-life figure so soon after his intimidating portrayal of Bruce Springsteen in Scott Cooper’s underappreciated gem, Deliver Me from Nowhere. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 Deanna hesitates, still wounded by the estrangement, but opens the house again. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 Teammates excitedly jumped off the bench, then hesitated when Thiero’s right knee appeared to buckle awkwardly under him. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitate

Verb

This week a deal for Volta Infrastructure faltered as investors feeling full-up on data center debt demanded higher yields.

— Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Even where efforts to build democratic institutions have faltered, as after the Arab Spring, liberal ideas have nonetheless persisted and expanded.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of falter

Verb

The wealth gap has political stakes, too That sense of waiting for an opportunity has electoral relevance.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Dahmen recommends waiting about a week after the frost before beginning to plant spring bulbs and getting a head start on next year's garden.

— WCCO Staff, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of wait

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hesitantly

hesitate

hesitated

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“Hesitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hesitate

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