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
Noting her hesitancy, Benedict’s character in the book guesses that Sophie is illegitimate.
—
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026
While its leaders and boosters usually have no problem making a number of outrageous, sci-fi sounding projections of where things are headed, there’s much more hesitancy over the possibility that AI is aware of its own existence.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 Jan. 2026
For Nayyar, overcoming user hesitancy, particularly among older generations, has been an ongoing educational process.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Nantz’s hesitancy was somewhat understandable since the referees were confused, as well.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026
While its leaders and boosters usually have no problem making a number of outrageous, sci-fi sounding projections of where things are headed, there’s much more hesitancy over the possibility that AI is aware of its own existence.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 Jan. 2026
For Nayyar, overcoming user hesitancy, particularly among older generations, has been an ongoing educational process.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Nantz’s hesitancy was somewhat understandable since the referees were confused, as well.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
-
Besides the reluctance of many people to share their own DNA profile for investigations, the success rate also depends on people’s willingness to have their DNA catalogued at all.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Justine MacNeil, the pastry chef and co-owner of Fiore, also sees that reluctance to change.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In rap’s gladiator arena, there’s no grace for hesitation, and that hesitation defined Cole’s involvement in the clash of the century.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Among those emails are unsent drafts, abandoned because of distraction or hesitation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her only hesitance was how much the internet has changed culture in the past decade.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Company leaders have attributed slower demand to higher mortgage rates, economic uncertainty and consumers’ hesitance to spring for pricier projects.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But invading the second biggest country in Europe, after Russia itself, would be a potentially catastrophic prospect which would, surely, give a cold strategist like Putin pause for thought.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Mother Nature is about to put the recent spring-like warmth across Central Texas on pause this weekend.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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