hesitate
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
hesitates;
hesitated;
hesitating
hesitates;
hesitated;
hesitating
Britannica Dictionary definition of HESITATE
1
[no object]
:
to stop briefly before you do something especially because you are nervous or unsure about what to do
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She hesitated and waited for her friend to say something.
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He hesitated about/over accepting the job.
2
[+ object]
:
to be unwilling to do something because of doubt or uncertainty
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I sometimes hesitate to say what I am really thinking.
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I hesitated to come without being asked.
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I wouldn't hesitate to ask for your help if I felt I needed it.
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Don't hesitate to call if there is a problem.
he who hesitates is lost
— used to say that it is important to make decisions and do things in a quick and definite way
[noncount]
[count]
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A moment's hesitation could have cost him his life.
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He showed no hesitation about/over accepting the job.
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I would do it again without hesitation. [=with no delay or doubts]
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After several brief hesitations he proceeded.
