Synonyms of hesitancy

hesitancy

noun

ˈhe-zə-tən(t)-sē 

1

as in reluctance

a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something

his appointment to the superintendency was confirmed by the school board without the least hesitancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reluctance
• doubt
• hesitance
• reticence
• unwillingness
• hesitation
• disinclination
• skepticism
• suspicion
• indecision
• vacillation
• uncertainty
• irresolution
• wavering
• distrust
• faltering
• mistrust
• staggering
• wobbling
• fence-sitting
• incertitude
• shilly-shallying
• misgiving
• misdoubt
• uncertainness
• mistrustfulness
• distrustfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• willingness
• inclination
• conviction
• certainty
• assurance
• surety
• certitude
• sureness
• assuredness
• positiveness

2

as in hesitation

a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action

his hesitancy in pulling over into the next lane while he had a chance resulted in him missing his exit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hesitation
• hesitance
• pause
• delay
• indecision
• vacillation
• uncertainty
• irresolution
• wavering
• deliberation
• faltering
• reluctance
• wobbling
• doubt
• waiting
• fence-sitting
• shilly-shallying
• shilly-shally
• procrastination
• consideration
• unwillingness
• indecisiveness
• debate
• second thought
• incertitude
• hawing
• timidity
• indetermination
• misgiving
• avoidance
• indisposition
• disinclination
• arrière-pensée
• equivocation
• faintheartedness
• shyness
• uncertainness
• timidness
• aversion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confidence
• determination
• certainty
• resolution
• firmness
• certitude
• eagerness
• readiness
• decisiveness
• sureness
• resoluteness
• alacrity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hesitancy

During the panel, Flanagan shared that there were initial hesitancies about creating the series. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Even though The Fool has forward momentum, like Plath, that momentum can lead to hesitancy — one step in the wrong direction, and The Fool falls off the cliff. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

If the primary conversation around wide releases this year is that it’s been mostly the risks reaping rewards, this hesitancy around sending films to festivals is not really serving anyone seeking to win an Academy Award. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 23 July 2026

Lotus seems to have ironed out the hesitancy that previously afflicted the dual-clutch ’box, particularly when parking. — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026