hesitate
To hesitate means to pause or delay making a decision, often because you're unsure or uncertain.
When people hesitate, it's like hitting the brakes in their thinking. They might be weighing the pros and cons of something, considering different options, or just feeling nervous about taking action. Imagine you're planning a trip abroad and you need to decide which airline to book with - do you choose a budget-friendly option but risk delays, or go for a more expensive flight that's likely to arrive on time? In this case, you might hesitate before making a decision. Sometimes people even use phrases like "I'm not sure yet" or "Let me think about it" when they're hesitating.
How common is "hesitate"?
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.
verb
To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
Example: He hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment.
Real examples of "hesitate" in context
