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
Relevance
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
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
Still, there is a hesitance to accept psychedelics in the psychiatric community.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 20 June 2025
This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Since many experts predict a recession in the near future, this only stokes the fear of loss further when the hesitance is high to begin with.
—Tim Koller, Time, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Still, there is a hesitance to accept psychedelics in the psychiatric community.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 20 June 2025
This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Since many experts predict a recession in the near future, this only stokes the fear of loss further when the hesitance is high to begin with.
—Tim Koller, Time, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
-
Added to this natural reluctance, competition between institutions has subverted collaboration to increase net welfare.—
David G.W. Birch,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This decision reflects a broader reluctance to empower oversight even in the face of rising public demand for transparency and accountability.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That hesitation quickly fled when the mask began to dry and tighten on the skin.—
Abby Dupes,
StyleCaster,
5 Sep. 2025
-
So is the hesitation, the concern for consequence, and the mid-match questioning of how she is supposed to play.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
My main hesitancy is the baby registry.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
30 Aug. 2025
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Inundated with protests and newfound hesitancy following the Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania, the company ceased construction a year later.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Judges have said Trump can extend the pause pending more appeals.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Aug. 2025
-
When contacted one week ago by ABC News, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said there is no communications pause and that the certification process is moving forward.—
Liz Neporent,
ABC News,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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