godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
hesitate to say; be reluctant to speak
Used when someone is unwilling or finds it difficult to say something, often due to embarrassment, discomfort, or the weight of the words.
彼は真実を言い渋った。
He hesitated to tell the truth.
彼女は別れの言葉を言い渋
She is reluctant to say the words of farewell.