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
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
Analysts have noted Mojtaba's lack of adequate religious credentials and hesitance within the regime to oversee a dynastic succession as marks against his candidacy to be the next supreme leader.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Her only hesitance was how much the internet has changed culture in the past decade.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
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
Analysts have noted Mojtaba's lack of adequate religious credentials and hesitance within the regime to oversee a dynastic succession as marks against his candidacy to be the next supreme leader.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Her only hesitance was how much the internet has changed culture in the past decade.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
-
But perhaps best of all is the city’s reluctance to take itself too seriously.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
Hefty upfront costs, issues disposing of radiation and waste, and memories of terrible accidents have all contributed to Europe’s reluctance to embrace nuclear energy in recent decades.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
From Bugenhagen’s perspective, these patterns contribute to hesitation and uncertainty, particularly for individuals seeking long-term relationships, as the process becomes less about connection and more about verification.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Neighbors concerned homes will ‘dominate’ district Homeowners around the Whitewater lot had their own hesitations about the plan.—
Mark Dee
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
State data suggests this hesitancy may continue into childhood.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Pickford’s relative hesitancy to engage aerially, Everton have been one of the most effective teams in the league at defending corners, conceding just five goals, the joint third fewest in the Premier League.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Manny fields it, kind of checks and gets the pause, throws it to second.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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For savers, the Fed's ongoing rate pause has effectively preserved an unusually favorable rate environment, one where yields on certificates of deposit (CDs), high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts remain well above the long-term historical average.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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