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

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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 But Miami shouldn’t hesitate to find and claim better receivers off the waiver wire, and possibly demote him to the practice squad. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Whether personally or professionally, don’t hesitate to clarify expectations and renegotiate accordingly. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Fertilizer is often bought months ahead of planting, so hesitating in the fall can mean less goes on the ground in the spring. — Jayash Paudel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Al Thani said Qatar has never hesitated to cooperate with Iran. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitate

Verb

In the rest of the state, Graham prevailed — including in the Charleston area, where former governor and congressman Mark Sanford endorsed Norman after his own Senate campaign faltered.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The same list of conditions is relevant to the debates about our faltering literacy.

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of falter

Verb

As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Marty Zweben Palos Verdes Estates Time for change The Dodgers look completely listless, and waiting for slumping veterans like Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker to snap out of it is a losing strategy.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hesitate

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