Hesitate
verb
To pause before saying or doing something because you are unsure or nervous.
She hesitated for a moment before answering the difficult question.
Often appears as...
- hesitate before
- hesitate to do something
verb
To be reluctant or wait to act because of fear or indecision.
I wouldn't hesitate to ask for help if it was necessary.
Often appears as...
- hesitate in doing something
- hesitate over
verb
To stammer or stutter when speaking, due to nervousness or uncertainty.
He hesitated as he tried to find the right words.
Often appears as...
- hesitate in speech
- hesitate in response
verb
To pause before saying or doing something because you are unsure or nervous.
She hesitated for a moment before answering the difficult question.
Often appears as...
- hesitate before
- hesitate to do something
verb
To be reluctant or wait to act because of fear or indecision.
I wouldn't hesitate to ask for help if it was necessary.
Often appears as...
- hesitate in doing something
- hesitate over
verb
To stammer or stutter when speaking, due to nervousness or uncertainty.
He hesitated as he tried to find the right words.
Often appears as...
- hesitate in speech
- hesitate in response
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Hesitation
Use 'hesitate' to imply a brief, almost undetectable pause due to uncertainty or thinking.
When asked if he loved her, he hesitated, which said more than words.
Pro Tip 2/3Indecision Shown
'Hesitate' often shows someone's indecision, even if the pause is very short.
She didn't hesitate to choose her favorite ice cream flavor.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Hesitation can imply doubt or lack of confidence, which can be negative in some contexts.
A leader should never hesitate when making crucial decisions.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Hesitation
Use 'hesitate' to imply a brief, almost undetectable pause due to uncertainty or thinking.
When asked if he loved her, he hesitated, which said more than words.
Pro Tip 2/3Indecision Shown
'Hesitate' often shows someone's indecision, even if the pause is very short.
She didn't hesitate to choose her favorite ice cream flavor.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Hesitation can imply doubt or lack of confidence, which can be negative in some contexts.
A leader should never hesitate when making crucial decisions.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Hesitation
Use 'hesitate' to imply a brief, almost undetectable pause due to uncertainty or thinking.
When asked if he loved her, he hesitated, which said more than words.
Pro Tip 2/3Indecision Shown
'Hesitate' often shows someone's indecision, even if the pause is very short.
She didn't hesitate to choose her favorite ice cream flavor.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Hesitation can imply doubt or lack of confidence, which can be negative in some contexts.
A leader should never hesitate when making crucial decisions.
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Video examples
Meet Six Rescued Rhinos...
me a particularly evening said they found the mother she's been shot and the calf is lying right next to the mother it was dark already we're actually about to close up and we got a phone call from dr. Rogers we went out me dot and putting them back in my car we brought him yeah there was my first there was no hesitation we did
Video examples
Why Do Lemurs Sunbathe?...
passionate about them i want other people to be passionate about them so even if it might seem like a silly question please don't hesitate to ask i think particularly in the most more like recent years we've become a lot more interested in the wild and the habitats and animals that live in it um you know
Video examples
History vs. Che Guevara...
taught them to read, and even recited poetry to them. His harsh discipline was necessary against a much stronger enemy who didn't hesitate to burn entire villages suspected of aiding the rebels. Let's not forget that the new regime held mass executions and killed hundreds of people without trial
Video examples
Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways...
Let there be no confusion Let there be no hesitation This is not a promotion of ignorance This is a linguistic celebration That’s why I put "tri-lingual" on my last job application I can help to diversify your consumer market is all I wanted them to know And when they call me for the interview
Video examples
The Aztec myth of the...
and four times he pulled back in fear. Humble Nanahuatl stepped forward. The other gods painted him chalky white and glued feathers to him. Without hesitation, he threw himself into the flames. A fire-blackened eagle swooped over the fire, grabbed Nanahuatl and carried him into the sky.
Video examples
Why do we, like,...
a filled pause lets your listeners know an important word is on the way. Linguists have even found that people are more likely to remember a word if it comes after a hesitation. Hesitation phenomena aren’t the only parts of speech that take on new meaning during dialogue.
Video examples
Can you solve the virus...
The virus is contained for now, but unless you can destroy it, the vents will soon open and unleash a deadly airborne plague. Without hesitation, you grab your HazMat suit and get ready to save the world.
Video examples
Connected, but alone? PIPE...
about the things that really matter. Change that. Most important, we all really need to listen to each other, including to the boring bits. Because it's when we stumble or hesitate or lose our words
Video examples
How Hip Hop taught my...
the beat is in the background and as I watch the hesitation and anxiety in the roll reach a boiling point on lower the music to invite some truth honest reflection about what is being felt
Video examples
What I learned as a...
towards a trained soldier with a gun. I looked at his eyes. He was just a boy. At that moment, he raised his rifle to hit me, but I saw that he was hesitating. His eyes were shaking,
Video examples
Meet Six Rescued Rhinos...
me a particularly evening said they found the mother she's been shot and the calf is lying right next to the mother it was dark already we're actually about to close up and we got a phone call from dr. Rogers we went out me dot and putting them back in my car we brought him yeah there was my first there was no hesitation we did
Video examples
Why Do Lemurs Sunbathe?...
passionate about them i want other people to be passionate about them so even if it might seem like a silly question please don't hesitate to ask i think particularly in the most more like recent years we've become a lot more interested in the wild and the habitats and animals that live in it um you know
Video examples
History vs. Che Guevara...
taught them to read, and even recited poetry to them. His harsh discipline was necessary against a much stronger enemy who didn't hesitate to burn entire villages suspected of aiding the rebels. Let's not forget that the new regime held mass executions and killed hundreds of people without trial
Video examples
Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways...
Let there be no confusion Let there be no hesitation This is not a promotion of ignorance This is a linguistic celebration That’s why I put "tri-lingual" on my last job application I can help to diversify your consumer market is all I wanted them to know And when they call me for the interview
Video examples
The Aztec myth of the...
and four times he pulled back in fear. Humble Nanahuatl stepped forward. The other gods painted him chalky white and glued feathers to him. Without hesitation, he threw himself into the flames. A fire-blackened eagle swooped over the fire, grabbed Nanahuatl and carried him into the sky.
Video examples
Why do we, like,...
a filled pause lets your listeners know an important word is on the way. Linguists have even found that people are more likely to remember a word if it comes after a hesitation. Hesitation phenomena aren’t the only parts of speech that take on new meaning during dialogue.
Video examples
Can you solve the virus...
The virus is contained for now, but unless you can destroy it, the vents will soon open and unleash a deadly airborne plague. Without hesitation, you grab your HazMat suit and get ready to save the world.
Video examples
Connected, but alone? PIPE...
about the things that really matter. Change that. Most important, we all really need to listen to each other, including to the boring bits. Because it's when we stumble or hesitate or lose our words
Video examples
How Hip Hop taught my...
the beat is in the background and as I watch the hesitation and anxiety in the roll reach a boiling point on lower the music to invite some truth honest reflection about what is being felt
Video examples
What I learned as a...
towards a trained soldier with a gun. I looked at his eyes. He was just a boy. At that moment, he raised his rifle to hit me, but I saw that he was hesitating. His eyes were shaking,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Jake Paul
American Actor
I am so lucky to have really good parents. They didn't hesitate to let us go to L.A. They didn't hesitate, because they knew that they raised their kids the right way: to be able to live by themselves and not get caught up by L.A.
Quote examples
Peter Mullan
Scottish Actor
Part of the reason why movie bosses are so obsessed with crime movies is because they know that world and the criminals. And that's what they are - they would not hesitate to act illegally to achieve profit and gain.
Quote examples
Kathryn Harrison
American Author
I admire writers who succeed at what I consider the first demand of art: that the artist vivisect himself without pity, without hesitation, determined to reveal whatever he might find.
Quote examples
Najib Mikati
Lebanese Politician
I am not keen just for the position; I'm keen to help and to serve. If I can really avoid any bad things on my country, I will not hesitate one second.
Quote examples
George Sand
French Novelist
Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.
Quote examples
Payne Stewart
American Athlete
I didn't hesitate to kiss my father in public. And that's how I tried to raise my children. We're physical.
Quote examples
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Japanese Soldier
When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation.
Quote examples
Jeff Bridges
American Actor
I have hesitation making any kind of decision, really in my life. I'm really slow at it.
Quote examples
Ernie Johnson Jr.
I hesitate to ever, as one dad, tell another dad how to raise their kids.
Quote examples
Stephen J. Cannell
American Producer
I really hesitate to say that any of my shows influenced other writers.
Quote examples
Jake Paul
American Actor
I am so lucky to have really good parents. They didn't hesitate to let us go to L.A. They didn't hesitate, because they knew that they raised their kids the right way: to be able to live by themselves and not get caught up by L.A.
Quote examples
Peter Mullan
Scottish Actor
Part of the reason why movie bosses are so obsessed with crime movies is because they know that world and the criminals. And that's what they are - they would not hesitate to act illegally to achieve profit and gain.
Quote examples
Kathryn Harrison
American Author
I admire writers who succeed at what I consider the first demand of art: that the artist vivisect himself without pity, without hesitation, determined to reveal whatever he might find.
Quote examples
Najib Mikati
Lebanese Politician
I am not keen just for the position; I'm keen to help and to serve. If I can really avoid any bad things on my country, I will not hesitate one second.
Quote examples
George Sand
French Novelist
Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.
Quote examples
Payne Stewart
American Athlete
I didn't hesitate to kiss my father in public. And that's how I tried to raise my children. We're physical.
Quote examples
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Japanese Soldier
When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation.
Quote examples
Jeff Bridges
American Actor
I have hesitation making any kind of decision, really in my life. I'm really slow at it.
Quote examples
Ernie Johnson Jr.
I hesitate to ever, as one dad, tell another dad how to raise their kids.
Quote examples
Stephen J. Cannell
American Producer
I really hesitate to say that any of my shows influenced other writers.
Example 1 of 10
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