HESITATES Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

hesitates

verb

present tense third-person singular of hesitate

as in falters

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

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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 hesitates If an employee hesitates or overcommits, avoid making assumptions or asking defensive questions. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Your vehicle hesitates when shifting gears A short pause or delay between pressing the gas and your car responding is an early sign of transmission trouble. — Michael Kurko, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 If someone hesitates, gently restate the goal and offer one reasonable option while staying loyal to your own needs. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026 In Spearfish, Yu hesitates over a set of cow grates and dumps her bike at low velocity. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 Hassan hesitates over an undercooked backpass, Haaland smells blood, and Iraq are toast. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 24 June 2026 And yet, even after years of success in other projects like Scooby-Doo, Scream 2, and Cruel Intentions, Gellar still hesitates when splurging on expensive items. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Passengers swear and cry in multiple languages; at Gracie Mansion, an unpopular mayor hesitates to address the public for fear of being booed. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 If someone hesitates, keep spirits up and adjust the route without losing the goal, then genuinely celebrate small wins. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitates

Verb

American military resources are stretched and political pressure in Washington is mounting, while Iran’s economy falters.

— David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
This leadership vacuum raises serious questions about the agencies' ability to craft meaningful crypto rules, especially if the Senate's Clarity Act vote falters.

— Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of falters

Verb

In the film, Jasper dies after Bangley waits until the last minute to pick off some invaders that target Hig and his dog.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
The venture team owns the company relationship, the infrastructure team waits for scale, and the credit team waits for operating history.

— Rob Day, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of waits

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hesitates

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“Hesitates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitates. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hesitates

verb

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