hesitation

noun

hes·​i·​ta·​tion ˌhe-zə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of hesitating

A moment's hesitation could have meant disaster.

I would do it again without hesitation.

2

: a pausing or faltering in speech

Synonyms of hesitation

• hesitancy
• hesitance
• pause
• delay

Examples of hesitation in a Sentence

one moment's hesitation on my part, and the elusive butterfly was lost to me forever

Recent Examples on the Web

And on Friday, after a small hesitation by the trio at the water, they were released into the Pacific Ocean in Redondo Beach. —Austin Turner, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

While that hesitation is healthy (generally, reimagining your routine as often as social media encourages isn’t always best), turns out there is actual merit to tweaking your products along with the evolving seasons. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026

His short responses feel distant, and his hesitation comes across as disinterest. —Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026

Before indie-pop band Voxtrot reunited in 2022 after a dozen years apart, vocalist and songwriter Ramesh Srivastava had some hesitation about restarting the project. —Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hesitation

• without hesitation

Rhymes for hesitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation