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verb

esitare

hesitate

Definition & meaning

Esitare means to hesitate: to pause or be uncertain before deciding or acting.

In formal or technical usage, it can also mean to result in or lead to a particular outcome, especially in medical contexts.

Grammar & Word origin

A regular first-conjugation verb, usually intransitive. It commonly takes a before an infinitive. Its past participle is esitato, and compound tenses normally use avere.

It comes from Latin haesitare, meaning “to hesitate” or “be undecided.”

Synonyms & antonyms

  • tentennare — to waver; often suggests repeated uncertainty.
  • indugiare — to linger or delay; emphasizes taking time rather than uncertainty.
  • decidersi — to make up one’s mind; an antonym when hesitation concerns a decision.

Common phrases & collocations

  • esitare a fare qualcosa — to hesitate to do something.
  • senza esitare — without hesitation.
  • non esitare a contattarmi — don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Examples

Non voglio esitare davanti alla scelta.verb

I don't want to hesitate before the choice.

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