6
hesitate(verb, withdraw, stick, object, doubt)
5
recoil(verb, withdraw, retreat, shrink, react)
5
scruple(verb, have, stick, object, doubt)
5
shrink(verb, withdraw, retreat, pause, dodge)
4
demur(verb, withdraw, shy, disagree, contradict)
4
dissent(verb, oppose, conflict, disagree, rebel)
4
boggle(verb, stick, question, pause, shy)
3
balance(pause, hesitate, scruple)
3
contend(verb, contention)
3
haggle
3
stick at(verb, expression, phrasal verb, unwillingness)
3
take no denial(expression, idiom, obstinacy)
2
balk(verb, oppose, withdraw, stick, object)
2
blench(verb, withdraw, retreat, dodge, hesitate)
2
debate(pause, hesitate, scruple)
2
decline(verb, oppose, disagree, contradict, differ)
2
falter(verb, withdraw, stick, retreat, pause)
2
flinch(verb, withdraw, retreat, dodge, hesitate)
2
gag(verb, stick, question, pause, shy)
2
hang back(expression, pause, hesitate, scruple)
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APASmart Define. (2015). stickle thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/stickle/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "stickle thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/stickle/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, stickle thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/stickle/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "stickle thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/stickle/thesaurus/synonyms>