English dictionary



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English verb: hesitate

1. hesitate (stative) pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness


SamplesAuthorities hesitate to quote exact figures.


Synonymswaffle, waver


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE.
Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE


Narrower (hyponym)boggle, dwell on, falter, hover, hover, linger, linger over, oscillate, vacillate, vibrate, waver


Entaildoubt

2. hesitate (stative) interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing


SamplesThe speaker paused.


ExamplesThey hesitate a long time


Synonymspause


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)delay


Narrower (hyponym)hem and haw, scruple









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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