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
Framing developer hesitation as a market failure, as is done in AB 2166, overlooks that such uncertainty is inherent to large-scale development and new technology.
—
Eliza Terziev, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
If Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is on the board, the Broncos should turn in the card without hesitation.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
His coach, John Acevedo, sees that hesitation as part of the work.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
That recalibration comes at a moment when fairs worldwide are grappling with rising costs, uneven sales, and collector hesitation.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
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Eliza Terziev, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
If Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is on the board, the Broncos should turn in the card without hesitation.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
His coach, John Acevedo, sees that hesitation as part of the work.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
That recalibration comes at a moment when fairs worldwide are grappling with rising costs, uneven sales, and collector hesitation.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitation. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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