1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
his appointment to the superintendency was confirmed by the school board without the least hesitancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
his hesitancy in pulling over into the next lane while he had a chance resulted in him missing his exit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitancy
Usually developers are more than happy to broadcast their renderings far and wide, and their hesitancy here is a small but unmistakable red flag.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
Add it up, and USC’s risk level would increase, which explains the hesitancy to extend the series with Notre Dame until the CFP access question is resolved.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Unlike Southampton, who promptly dispatched their second manager of this season, Ivan Juric, immediately after relegation was confirmed, there has been a hesitancy about making a change.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The filmmakers went beyond celebrities and experts, also talking to regular people, including some residents of the Bay Area, about their own hesitancy, and how their views have or have not changed.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
Add it up, and USC’s risk level would increase, which explains the hesitancy to extend the series with Notre Dame until the CFP access question is resolved.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Unlike Southampton, who promptly dispatched their second manager of this season, Ivan Juric, immediately after relegation was confirmed, there has been a hesitancy about making a change.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The filmmakers went beyond celebrities and experts, also talking to regular people, including some residents of the Bay Area, about their own hesitancy, and how their views have or have not changed.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
-
Other key party leaders, such as Gov. Hochul, continue to express reluctance about Mamdani.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
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Trump's comments mark his latest criticism of Putin for his reluctance to agree to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire and for Moscow's continuing bombardment of Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Noun
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On the other hand, hesitation or half-measures will send a clear signal to founders and investors that Israel is content to watch from the sidelines.—
Tomer Niv,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Was there any hesitation about writing something that hits so close to home in terms of your real-life experiences within the reality TV community?—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Several major automakers are investing billions of dollars into American EV production despite the U.S. hesitance to adopt EVs.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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Despite hesitance from some Republican senators, all of Trump’s nominees who have come for a vote on the floor have been confirmed, even his most contentious picks.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Republican leaders and tech industry groups have argued that a multiyear pause on state-level AI regulation is essential to giving U.S. companies the space to innovate and maintain an edge over China.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
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California’s largest public sector union secured a one-year pause to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office order just days before state workers are expected to begin working in person four days a week.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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