hesitation

noun

hes·​i·​ta·​tion ˌhe-zə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of hesitating

2

: a pausing or faltering in speech

Synonyms

• 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

As the title suggests, its cast was entirely composed of couples in which one party was ready to get hitched, and the other had hesitations. —James Factora, Them., 3 Oct. 2025

However, lofty goals often lead to significant hesitation or avoidance. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 3 Oct. 2025

Conservative media outlets have seized on that hesitation, producing awkward sound bites that have powered campaign ads and White House messaging, regardless of the salience in the shutdown fight. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025

What really tipped the decision in Stockholm was a mix of hesitation over radical new theory and the personal rivalries of powerful scientists. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th 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