hesitancy

noun hes·i·tan·cy \ ˈhe-zə-tən(t)-sē \

Definition of hesitancy

plural hesitancies

1 :the quality or state of being hesitant: such as

a :indecision

b :reluctance

took that drastic step only with the greatest hesitancy

2 :hesitation 1

See hesitancy defined for kids

Examples of hesitancy in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of hesitancy from the Web

After a while, Walter, in his hesitancies and proclivity to please, seems as complexly human as anybody else in the movie.

— peter rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘Marjorie Prime’ asks, how do we want to be remembered?," 23 Aug. 2017
But all three groups that got informational packets on vaccines saw increases in their vaccine hesitancy scores.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Un-bustable myths and stubborn minds: Pro-vaccine efforts backfire," 11 Aug. 2017
In the Trump administration, the barbed issue of Russian sanctions has taken on a strange, symbolic weight, alluding not so much to the government’s willingness to inflict punishment, but its hesitancy to.

— isobel thompson, vanityfair.com, "Trump’s Hold on the Republican Party Begins to Break," 24 July 2017
In the Trump administration, the barbed issue of Russian sanctions has taken on a strange, symbolic weight, alluding not so much to the government’s willingness to inflict punishment, but its hesitancy to.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Trump’s Hold on the Republican Party Begins to Break," 24 July 2017
Experts said negative attitudes may be due to fears over suspected side-effects and hesitancy among some doctors.

— Fox News, "Measles outbreak kills 35 across Europe," 11 July 2017
Price gouging on water just increases the hesitancy, and means people are going to end up uncomfortable or worse from dehydration.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Mellinger Minutes: Chiefs silence, Chiefs instability, Royals’ future, Bubba Starling and more," 27 June 2017
Trump’s reliance on former hands reflects his relatively small circle, his comfort level with longtime loyalists and his hesitancy to trust newcomers.

— john wagner, Washington Post, "‘He loves rallies:’ Trump looks beyond Washington to get a boost," 20 June 2017
Improvements Inspected First sight of a nudity in a mixed crowd brought a bit of shock (perhaps a few more centuries going overboard), but this same shock served to dissipate the hesitancy of the previous minutes.

— jamie hale, OregonLive.com, "The Oregonian visited the state's first nudist colony in 1935 -- and got an eyeful," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hesitancy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hesitancy

1617

hesitancy Synonyms

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

HESITANCY Defined for Kids

hesitancy

noun hes·i·tan·cy \ ˈhe-zə-tən-sē \

Definition of hesitancy for Students

:the quality or state of being unwilling to do something because of doubt or nervousness

Learn More about hesitancy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hesitancy Spanish Central: Translation of hesitancy Nglish: Translation of hesitancy for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up hesitancy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

hesitancy

Definition of hesitancy

Examples of hesitancy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hesitancy from the Web

First Known Use of hesitancy

hesitancy Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

HESITANCY Defined for Kids

hesitancy

Definition of hesitancy for Students

Learn More about hesitancy

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

True or False?

Add Diction

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

hesitancy

Definition of hesitancy

Read the Latest from M-W

Examples of hesitancy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hesitancy from the Web

First Known Use of hesitancy

hesitancy Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

HESITANCY Defined for Kids

hesitancy

Definition of hesitancy for Students

Learn More about hesitancy

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066