1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
sales figures for the month were up, as consumers began to overcome their hesitance about purchasing big-ticket items
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
she mistook my hesitance to mean I didn't like her poem, but I was trying to come up with appropriate words of praise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitance
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.
—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Shares of McCormick fell 6% in morning trading, while Unilever's stock down 4%, reflecting investors' hesitance about the mega-merger.
—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
That likely means there won’t be any hesitance by Stammen to use his higher-leverage relievers today and tomorrow.
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Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
That the Astros even added Vázquez underscores their hesitance to hand César Salazar the backup role, despite Salazar’s familiarity with their pitching staff and strong clubhouse reputation.
—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Shares of McCormick fell 6% in morning trading, while Unilever's stock down 4%, reflecting investors' hesitance about the mega-merger.
—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
That likely means there won’t be any hesitance by Stammen to use his higher-leverage relievers today and tomorrow.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
That the Astros even added Vázquez underscores their hesitance to hand César Salazar the backup role, despite Salazar’s familiarity with their pitching staff and strong clubhouse reputation.
—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
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Experts say that's probably an undercount, given immigrants’ reluctance to come forward.
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Experts say that’s probably an undercount, given immigrants’ reluctance to come forward.
Noun
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When Miller unleashed another slider, Suzuki showed no hesitation.
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That hesitation becomes stronger when the candidate frames the pivot as a weakness.
Noun
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Part of it is a hesitancy to trade veterans on expiring contracts (prior to this season’s trades with Buffalo) to get picks back.
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Another common problem for leaders is dealing with the pressure to innovate or the hesitancy to invest from the board.
Noun
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Munster’s mosquito-spraying program is once again set to take flight Tuesday after a brief pause, the town announced.
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His health problems resembled a fall down a long flight of stairs, with pauses at several landings.
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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