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

Sidewalk safety, a tale of two cities There is no such hesitancy with cities collecting roadway data. — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

The Iranian regime’s apparent hesitancy to resume in-person talks is a significant step back from the high-level talks that took place in Switzerland earlier this month following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the countries. — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 June 2026

Women’s hesitancy to use AI is instead a rational response to a competency penalty that women face when using AI in the workplace. — Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

The deal could age poorly if Nemec turns into an elite top-pair defenseman — the goal for a player drafted with the second pick — but the Devils clearly saw enough to feel some hesitancy that that would happen. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 23 June 2026