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
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
The gaming industry has been hit hard in recent years with layoffs, delayed funding and investor hesitancy.
—Chris Hewish, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
That’s due to several factors, such as challenges related to cost and access and hesitancy among some cardiologists and primary care physicians.
—Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
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
The gaming industry has been hit hard in recent years with layoffs, delayed funding and investor hesitancy.
—Chris Hewish, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
That’s due to several factors, such as challenges related to cost and access and hesitancy among some cardiologists and primary care physicians.
—Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 1 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
-
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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Though the party may not explicitly endorse such behaviors, its hesitance to denounce them outright can be perceived as tacit approval, alienating voters who value law and order.—
Nafees Alam,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2025
-
This is partly a reflection of the collapse of studio interest in newsy documentaries as well as hesitance around a movie that condemns Israeli policies.—
Marc Tracy,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Anything beyond this month’s No. 20 should at least create pause.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
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The unanimous decision from the three-judge panel keeps a pause on a lower court’s temporary restraining order a week before that had directed the federal government to return control of Guard troops to Newsom.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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