Synonyms of hesitate
22 similar words · 10 opposite words
Another word for hesitate is hem. Other synonyms of hesitate are boggle and scruple. The opposite of hesitate is decide.
Synonyms and similar words for hesitate
verbTo stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a...
- demurTo suspend judgment or proceedings because of a difficulty or doubt; to put off the conclusion or determination of a...
verbTo stammer; to falter in speaking.
- balbucinateTo stammer.
- balbutiateTo stammer.
- falterTo hesitate in purpose or action.
- hemTo make the sound expressed by the word hem; to hesitate in speaking.
- haw
- stammer
- stutter
- stumble
verbMore synonyms
- mammerTo hesitate.
- scrupleTo hesitate or be reluctant to act due to considerations of conscience or expedience.
- waver
- boggle(literally or figuratively) to stop or hesitate as if suddenly seeing a bogle.
- wobble
- deliberate
- haltTo stand in doubt whether to proceed, or what to do; hesitate; be uncertain; linger; delay; mammer.
- waffle
- ditherTo be uncertain or unable to make a decision; to vacillate, hesitate, or delay.
- hover
- stand shilly-shallyTo hesitate, vacillate or procrastinate.
- stickTo hesitate, to be reluctant; to refuse (in negative phrases).
- swither UK, dialectal
Opposite of hesitate
verbMore antonyms
- damn the torpedoesUsed to dismiss the risks of a dangerous action.
- decide
- brazen
- grasp the nettleTo act boldly, especially when there are short-term adverse consequences.
- go big or go homeOne must either try to go all the way or not try at all; a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
- resolve
- shoot first and ask questions later
- shoot from the hip
- shoot from the lipTo speak confidently and unhesitantly but without careful forethought or a reliable knowledge of important facts...
- shoot one's mouth offTo make reckless or exaggerated statements.
Meaning of hesitate
- verb To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
- verb To stammer; to falter in speaking.
- verb To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.
hesitate in other languages
Questions about synonyms of hesitate
- What is another word for hesitate?
- Hesitate has 22 synonyms on Word.ws, such as hem, boggle and scruple.
- What is the opposite of hesitate?
- The opposite of hesitate is decide.
- What does hesitate mean?
- Hesitate means to stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: hesitate (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of hesitate.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/hesitate. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.