hesitancy

hes·i·tan·cy

noun \-tən(t)-sē\

plural hes·i·tan·cies

Definition of HESITANCY

1

: the quality or state of being hesitant: as a : indecision b : reluctance <took that drastic step only with the greatest hesitancy>

2

: hesitation 1

Examples of HESITANCY

1. <his appointment to the superintendency was confirmed by the school board without the least hesitancy>
2. <his hesitancy in pulling over into the next lane while he had a chance resulted in him missing his exit>

First Known Use of HESITANCY

1617

Related to HESITANCY

Synonyms: disinclination, hesitance, reluctance, reticence, unwillingness

Antonyms: inclination, willingness

Related Words: faltering, fence-sitting, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shallying, staggering, vacillation, wavering, wobbling (also wabbling); distrust, distrustfulness, doubt, incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainness, uncertainty

Near Antonyms: assurance, assuredness, certainty, certitude, conviction, positiveness, sureness, surety

see all synonyms and antonyms

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