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
The hesitancy repeatedly expressed by Harden, who was appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, during two public hearings Tuesday signals further growing tension within the school board over how to address the district’s deepening fiscal crisis.
—
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
These bigger home-improvement projects are usually financed through loans, while smaller projects can be completed with cash payments, which plays into consumers’ hesitancy, said Home Depot chief financial officer Richard McPhail.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Local pediatricians see parents’ hesitancy in their exam rooms.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
But public comments indicate hesitancy to embrace the new look.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
These bigger home-improvement projects are usually financed through loans, while smaller projects can be completed with cash payments, which plays into consumers’ hesitancy, said Home Depot chief financial officer Richard McPhail.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Local pediatricians see parents’ hesitancy in their exam rooms.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
But public comments indicate hesitancy to embrace the new look.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
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Added to this natural reluctance, competition between institutions has subverted collaboration to increase net welfare.—
David G.W. Birch,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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This decision reflects a broader reluctance to empower oversight even in the face of rising public demand for transparency and accountability.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That hesitation quickly fled when the mask began to dry and tighten on the skin.—
Abby Dupes,
StyleCaster,
5 Sep. 2025
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So is the hesitation, the concern for consequence, and the mid-match questioning of how she is supposed to play.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This history of volatility, paired with a high stock price, contributes to investor hesitance.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Their hesitance comes in the wake of executive orders targeting some of the country’s most powerful law firms, which have split between fighting the orders and compliance agreements.—
Lluvia Gaucin,
IndyStar,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Judges have said Trump can extend the pause pending more appeals.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Aug. 2025
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When contacted one week ago by ABC News, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said there is no communications pause and that the certification process is moving forward.—
Liz Neporent,
ABC News,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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