hesitate

/ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt/

Latin haesitatus, past participle of haesitare to stick fast, hesitate, frequentative of haerēre to stick

verb

  1. to hold back in doubt or indecision

  2. to delay momentarily : pause

  3. stammer

She didn't hesitate when they offered her the job.

hesitate waver vacillate falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing. waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.