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
However, there was hesitance among owners to strip division champions of their first-round home-field advantage, prompting the modification to reseed after the wild-card round.
—
Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 20 May 2025
That’s led to early purchases of some big-ticket items, such as cars, but also fueled consumers’ hesitance to spend in other areas.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 May 2025
But that is where the similarities end, and where the hesitance to believe the Knicks had a chance at the reigning champs seeps in deep.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
This hesitance only reinforces the false narrative that race is a divisive topic rather than an integral part of understanding American society.
—Anne Tapp Jaksa, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 20 May 2025
That’s led to early purchases of some big-ticket items, such as cars, but also fueled consumers’ hesitance to spend in other areas.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 May 2025
But that is where the similarities end, and where the hesitance to believe the Knicks had a chance at the reigning champs seeps in deep.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
This hesitance only reinforces the false narrative that race is a divisive topic rather than an integral part of understanding American society.
—Anne Tapp Jaksa, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
-
In Europe, the reluctance was more ominous given the massive EV targets set for 2030.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
-
New York traded Toppin to the Indiana Pacers for two second-round picks in 2022, citing his inconsistent minutes behind All-Star Julius Randle and then-coach Tom Thibodeau’s reluctance to extend leashes to young players on win-now rosters.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Their only hesitation were their concerns for his future.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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These travelers pausing their U.S. visits aren't swearing off the U.S. forever, but their hesitation shows the country's current political actions aren't going unnoticed.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite his hesitancy about giving up his role, Devers adjusted to being an everyday DH.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Yet investors in recent weeks had shown hesitancy about longer-duration bonds like the 30-year bond, Hughey said.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
Anything beyond this month’s No. 20 should at least create pause.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
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The unanimous decision from the three-judge panel keeps a pause on a lower court’s temporary restraining order a week before that had directed the federal government to return control of Guard troops to Newsom.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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