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1. Dictionary

   hes·i·tate

   /ˈhezəˌtāt/

   verb

   • 1. pause before saying or doing something, especially through uncertainty: "she hesitated, unsure of what to say" Similar pausedelayhang backwaitshilly-shallyditherstalltemporizebe in two mindsbe in a quandarybe in a dilemmabe on the horns of a dilemmabe uncertainbe hesitantbe unsurebe doubtfulbe indecisiveequivocatevacillateoscillatewaverhave second thoughtshaverhum and hawswitherinformal:dilly-dallyblow hot and coldOpposite be resolutebe certain
   • ▪ be reluctant to do something: "he hesitated to spoil the mood by being inquisitive" Similar be reluctantbe unwillingbe disinclinedscruplehave misgivings abouthave qualms aboutbe ambivalent aboutfeel uneasy aboutshrink fromdemur fromhang back fromthink twice aboutbe diffident aboutbalk atboggle atOpposite be willing

   Word Origin early 17th century: from Latin haesitat- ‘stuck fast, left undecided’, from the verb haesitare, from haerere ‘stick, stay’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. hesitater noun
   • 2. hesitative adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

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   • I

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   • T

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › hesitateHesitate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › hesitate

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   The meaning of HESITATE is to hold back in doubt or indecision. How to use hesitate in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Hesitate.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishHESITATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   HESITATE definition: 1. to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it…. Learn more.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › hesitateHesitate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › hesitate

   To hesitate is to pause before doing something, often out of concern or worry. If you're playing basketball and have a wide-open shot but don't take it right away, you hesitated. Maybe you felt too much pressure to shoot the ball.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryHESITATE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   HESITATE meaning: 1. to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it…. Learn more.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishHESITATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If you hesitate, you pause slightly while you are doing something or just before you do it, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried. She hesitated before replying. American English : hesitate / ˈhɛzɪteɪt /

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionhesitate verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Definition of hesitate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishMeaning of hesitate – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   HESITATE definition: 1. to pause before doing something, especially because you are nervous or not certain: 2. to be…. Learn more.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › hesitateHesitate - definition of hesitate by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › hesitate

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   1. to be reluctant to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination. 2. to have scruples or doubts about something. 3. to stop for a moment; pause. 4. to stammer. v.t. 5. to have scruples or doubts about: He hesitated to break the law.

10. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryHESITATE - All you need to know about it | Collins English...

    www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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    1. If you hesitate, you do not speak or act for a short time, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried about what you are going to say or do. [...] 2. If you hesitate to do something, you delay doing it or are unwilling to do it, usually because you are not certain it would be right.

11. www.yourdictionary.com › hesitateHesitate Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › hesitate

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    To stop because of indecision; pause or delay in acting, choosing, or deciding because of feeling unsure; waver. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. To pause; stop momentarily. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. To be slow to act, speak, or decide. American Heritage. To be reluctant; not be sure that one should. Hesitating to ask.