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
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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.
—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
-
The result of this will, surely, be creative self-censorship and a reluctance among the country’s best architects to bid for public work.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
Knowing her reluctance to dish in interviews, fans may never find out what exactly that aside means.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
With far less hair, Ella’s green eyes seemed greener, like those of the feral black cats that roamed their hamlet, meowing for table scraps, which were often given without hesitation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
-
The result is a workplace trapped between urgency and hesitation.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Another common problem for leaders is dealing with the pressure to innovate or the hesitancy to invest from the board.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
-
His hesitancy could undermine one of DeSantis’ key arguments to sway voters, particularly those in small counties, in favor of the amendment.—
Romy Ellenbogen Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Since the clock doesn't stop during a match, this accounts for the pauses in play.—
Mike Toole,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
On Friday evening, that pause may finally have happened.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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