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
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
Regional Fed Presidents Susan Collins of Boston and Lorie Logan of Dallas both voiced hesitation about further cuts.
—
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
But hesitation there is QB Jaxson Dart being iffy with a concussion, and the steep drop it’d be to either the ghost of Russell Wilson or the Human Interception, Jameis Winston.
—Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025
The Duchess of Edinburgh — who is known for her dedication to duty — seemed to push past her hesitation and took a turn holding the Goliath bird-eater on a large leaf.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
After some hesitation, Aggie agrees.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
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Jeff Cox, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
But hesitation there is QB Jaxson Dart being iffy with a concussion, and the steep drop it’d be to either the ghost of Russell Wilson or the Human Interception, Jameis Winston.
—Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025
The Duchess of Edinburgh — who is known for her dedication to duty — seemed to push past her hesitation and took a turn holding the Goliath bird-eater on a large leaf.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
After some hesitation, Aggie agrees.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitation. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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