1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
his appointment to the superintendency was confirmed by the school board without the least hesitancy
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
his hesitancy in pulling over into the next lane while he had a chance resulted in him missing his exit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitancy
Usually developers are more than happy to broadcast their renderings far and wide, and their hesitancy here is a small but unmistakable red flag.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
Add it up, and USC’s risk level would increase, which explains the hesitancy to extend the series with Notre Dame until the CFP access question is resolved.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Unlike Southampton, who promptly dispatched their second manager of this season, Ivan Juric, immediately after relegation was confirmed, there has been a hesitancy about making a change.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The filmmakers went beyond celebrities and experts, also talking to regular people, including some residents of the Bay Area, about their own hesitancy, and how their views have or have not changed.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
Add it up, and USC’s risk level would increase, which explains the hesitancy to extend the series with Notre Dame until the CFP access question is resolved.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Unlike Southampton, who promptly dispatched their second manager of this season, Ivan Juric, immediately after relegation was confirmed, there has been a hesitancy about making a change.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The filmmakers went beyond celebrities and experts, also talking to regular people, including some residents of the Bay Area, about their own hesitancy, and how their views have or have not changed.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
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In Europe, the reluctance was more ominous given the massive EV targets set for 2030.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
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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
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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
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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
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Despite hesitance from some Republican senators, all of Trump’s nominees who have come for a vote on the floor have been confirmed, even his most contentious picks.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Republican leaders and tech industry groups have argued that a multiyear pause on state-level AI regulation is essential to giving U.S. companies the space to innovate and maintain an edge over China.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
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California’s largest public sector union secured a one-year pause to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office order just days before state workers are expected to begin working in person four days a week.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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