Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb hesitate

2 senses of hesitate

Sense 1
hesitate, waver, waffle -- (pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness; "Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures")

Sense 2
hesitate, pause -- (interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing; "The speaker paused")
       => delay -- (act later than planned, scheduled, or required; "Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered")