hes·i·tate (h z  -t t )intr.v. hes·i·tat·ed, hes·i·tat·ing, hes·i·tates 1. a. To be slow to act, speak, or decide. b. To pause in uncertainty; waver. 2. To be reluctant. 3. To speak haltingly; falter. [Latin haesit re, haesitt-, to hesitate, frequentative of haer re, to hold fast.]hes i·tater n.hes i·tating·ly adv.Synonyms: hesitate, vacillate, waver, falter These verbs mean to be uncertain, irresolute, or indecisive. To hesitate is to hold back or pause because of doubt or uncertainty: "A President either is constantly on top of events or, if he hesitates, events will soon be on top of him" (Harry S. Truman). Vacillate implies going back and forth between alternative, usually conflicting courses: She vacillated about whether to go or to stay. Waver suggests having second thoughts about a decision: After much wavering, he finally gave his permission. To falter is to be unsteady in resolution or action: He resolved to ask for a raise but faltered when his boss entered the room. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | hesitating - lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly indecisive - characterized by lack of decision and firmness; "an indecisive manager brought the enterprise to a standstill" |
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