Synonyms of hesitancy

hesitancy

noun

ˈhe-zə-tən(t)-sē 

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

• reluctance
• doubt
• hesitance
• reticence
• unwillingness
• hesitation
• disinclination
• skepticism
• suspicion
• indecision
• vacillation
• uncertainty
• irresolution
• wavering
• distrust
• faltering
• mistrust
• staggering
• wobbling
• fence-sitting
• incertitude
• shilly-shallying
• misgiving
• misdoubt
• uncertainness
• mistrustfulness
• distrustfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• willingness
• inclination
• conviction
• certainty
• assurance
• surety
• certitude
• sureness
• assuredness
• positiveness

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hesitation
• hesitance
• pause
• delay
• indecision
• vacillation
• uncertainty
• irresolution
• wavering
• deliberation
• faltering
• reluctance
• wobbling
• doubt
• waiting
• fence-sitting
• shilly-shallying
• shilly-shally
• procrastination
• consideration
• unwillingness
• indecisiveness
• debate
• second thought
• incertitude
• hawing
• timidity
• indetermination
• misgiving
• avoidance
• indisposition
• disinclination
• arrière-pensée
• equivocation
• faintheartedness
• shyness
• uncertainness
• timidness
• aversion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confidence
• determination
• certainty
• resolution
• firmness
• certitude
• eagerness
• readiness
• decisiveness
• sureness
• resoluteness
• alacrity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hesitancy

Wildlife managers in New Mexico and Utah report record numbers of hungry bears have lost their natural hesitancy to raid homes, cars and campgrounds. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Much of the hesitancy surrounding private loans stems from interest rates. — Emily Green, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Handy said hesitancy around the measles vaccine dates back to 2000 or even earlier. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Last week, the president issued another executive order that’s sure to fuel further hesitancy about the shot that has protected children from measles, mumps and rubella for decades. — Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 18 Aug. 2026