Hesitating: meaning, definitions and examples

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hesitating

[ˈhɛzɪˌteɪtɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

indecision

To hesitate means to pause before deciding or acting, often because of uncertainty or indecision. It can also involve a reluctance to proceed or a lack of confidence in one's choices.

Synonyms

dither, pause, vacillate, waver.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hesitating	Used when someone is briefly unsure about making a decision or taking action. She was hesitating before she made the call He was hesitating at the door, unsure if he should enter
pause	Used when someone stops briefly before continuing, often to consider or think. He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts She paused before answering the question
waver	Used when someone is showing signs of weakness or indecision, often due to hesitation. She started to waver in her determination His resolve wavered when he heard the bad news
dither	Used when someone is acting indecisive or unable to make a decision, often in a slightly negative or critical way. Stop dithering and make a choice! She was dithering over which dress to buy
vacillate	Used when someone repeatedly changes their mind, showing uncertainty and indecisiveness. He tends to vacillate between options The committee vacillated for weeks before making a decision

Examples of usage

She hesitated before accepting the job offer.
I could see him hesitating before making a decision.
Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

speech

In speech, to hesitate is to falter or pause in the delivery of words, often due to nervousness, lack of preparation, or emotional intensity.

Synonyms

falter, hesitate, stammer, stutter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hesitating	Used when someone is pausing before doing or saying something because they are unsure or nervous. She was hesitating before answering the question. He started hesitating when asked if he had finished his homework.
stammer	Used to describe speaking with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial sounds of words, typically caused by nervousness or speech disorders. He began to stammer when asked about his role in the project. She tried to respond, but her words came out in a stammer.
falter	Used when someone is starting to lose strength or momentum, or when their voice begins to waver due to fear or uncertainty. His confidence began to falter during the presentation. You could hear her resolve falter as she spoke about the incident.
stutter	Similar to 'stammer', it also refers to speaking with repeated sounds or syllables, often due to a speech impediment or nervousness. He used to stutter a lot as a child, but has improved with therapy. She started to stutter when speaking in front of the class.
hesitate	Used to indicate a brief pause or delay due to indecision, doubt, or caution. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need help. He did not hesitate to jump into the water to save the child.

Examples of usage

She hesitated while giving her speech.
The actor hesitated for a moment before delivering his lines.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'haesitare,' meaning to stick or stay, which implies being stuck in decision-making.
In English, 'hesitate' first appeared in the late 14th century, originally in the context of physical uncertainty.

Psychology

Studies show that people often hesitate due to fear of making the wrong choice, which can lead to decision paralysis.
Hesitation can be a sign of overthinking, where individuals weigh too many options before taking action.

Pop Culture

Many songs and movies capture moments of hesitation, illustrating characters stuck between choices, adding emotional depth to stories.
In popular games, hesitation can be a strategic choice, giving players a moment to assess a situation before making a move.

Literature

Classic literature often portrays hesitant characters, adding tension; think of Hamlet, who famously stalls before taking action.
Hesitation is used by authors to reflect on internal conflict, showcasing the process of thinking deeply about decisions.

Everyday Life

People often hesitate when making simple choices, like what to order at a restaurant, revealing a universal struggle with decision-making.
In conversations, hesitating before responding can indicate a need to gather thoughts or emotions, enhancing communication.

Translations

Translations of the word "hesitating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hesitando

🇮🇳 हिचकिचाना

🇩🇪 zögernd

🇮🇩 ragu-ragu

🇺🇦 вагаючись

🇵🇱 wahając się

🇯🇵 ためらう

🇫🇷 hésitant

🇪🇸 vacilando

🇹🇷 tereddüt eden

🇰🇷 주저하는

🇸🇦 متردد

🇨🇿 váhající

🇸🇰 váhajúci

🇨🇳 犹豫

🇸🇮 obotavljiv

🇮🇸 hikandi

🇰🇿 күмәндану

🇬🇪 ეჭვიანი

🇦🇿 tərəddüd edən

🇲🇽 vacilando

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,018, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18015 harshness
18016 dingy
18017 predilection
18018 hesitating
18019 galloping
18020 untoward
18021 spelt
...