Simple meaning
What does Hesitate mean?
to pause because you are unsure.
Dictionary definition
To pause before doing something because you are unsure.
Example sentences
Hesitate in a sentence
easy
The character showed hesitate in the story.
medium
In class, we talked about hesitate during a group discussion.
hard
Writers use words like hesitate to explain feelings and behavior more clearly.
Synonyms
Words like Hesitate
pauseClose meaning in common use.
waverSimilar meaning with slightly different tone.
Antonyms
Opposite words
decideA helpful contrast word.
actAnother useful opposite in context.
Word family
Hesitate word family
Base word
hesitate
verb
hesitates
Pauses now or often.
noun
hesitation
A brief pause from uncertainty.
Related words
Explore related words
Quick practice
Try Hesitate
Practice 1
What does hesitate mean?
HESITATE means to pause because you are unsure.
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Use the dictionary to understand Hesitate, then move into short activities matched to the skills on this page.
Learning paths
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- Hive Builder for roots, prefixes, and suffixes.