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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitancy
His hesitancy has become a referendum.
—
Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson also participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to battle hesitancy in Black communities.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
And every one of us has moments of hiding, fear, doubt, and hesitancy.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson also participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to battle hesitancy in Black communities.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
And every one of us has moments of hiding, fear, doubt, and hesitancy.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
-
Instead, there was a perceptible rise in militant attacks within Pakistan, accompanied by Kabul’s reluctance or inability to decisively act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.—
Rabia Akhtar,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Even today most of us will accept the disenchantments of knowledge only with great reluctance.—
Robert Pogue Harrison,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her hesitation reflects a broader moment of turbulence across the travel industry – one driven not by a single crisis, but by a convergence of them.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Some Republicans who could cast key votes on this are expressing hesitation or outright opposition.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That the Astros even added Vázquez underscores their hesitance to hand César Salazar the backup role, despite Salazar’s familiarity with their pitching staff and strong clubhouse reputation.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
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Analysts have noted Mojtaba's lack of adequate religious credentials and hesitance within the regime to oversee a dynastic succession as marks against his candidacy to be the next supreme leader.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pause applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end April 19.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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But if your friend has no idea what your partner’s talking about, that could be reason to take pause, Charlot said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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