mindmap root((犹豫)) hesitate implies pausing before deciding or acting or choosing: ~ed before answering the question. waver implies hesitation after seeming to reach a decision and so connotes weakness or a retreat: ~ed in his support of the rebels. vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision and suggests the play of opposing factors that results in indecision: ~ed until it was too late and events were out of control. falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear: never once ~ed during her testimony.