To hesitate or be reluctant because of concern about others' opinions or social propriety; to feel scruples.
彼は周囲の目を憚って本当のことを言わなかった。
He didn't tell the truth because he was afraid of what others would think.
年長者を憚って、若い人は意見を言いにくい場合がある。
Young people sometimes find it hard to speak up because they feel constrained by elders.
遠慮して憚るより、率直に相談したほうがいい。
Rather than hesitating out of reserve, it's better to consult frankly.
To lord it over others; to have great influence or sway (literary/old-fashioned sense).
その地方では一族が長年憚っていたと言われる。
It is said that a certain family had long held sway in that region.
勝者は敗者を憚ることなく支配した（文語的表現）。
The victor ruled over the vanquished without restraint (literary expression).