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

Opposition or hesitancy has been less focused on Hasan's death sentence which has broad support among Republicans, but on the decision to broadcast it. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Consider the party’s hesitancy in addressing the financial ramifications of China’s demographic decline. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

The service Mostly at ease with itself, and therefore the guests, and any hesitancy will be ironed out within a few weeks of opening. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

There’s pushback, or almost like a hesitancy, rooted in the trauma of slavery. — David Katz, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026