as in hesitancy
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
one moment's hesitation on my part, and the elusive butterfly was lost to me forever
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitation
For non-Muslims, like myself, there’s often a different hesitation.
—
Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Those little hesitations cost Texas several points in the early going and helped dig a hole that proved too deep as time went on.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Other possible reasons for vaccine hesitation exist.
—Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
There was no confusion or hesitation like that day at Molineux, just action.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Those little hesitations cost Texas several points in the early going and helped dig a hole that proved too deep as time went on.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Other possible reasons for vaccine hesitation exist.
—Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
There was no confusion or hesitation like that day at Molineux, just action.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
-
Finally, Jim said that our hesitancy to sell is due to fear that the company will figure out how to solve its AI woes.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That hesitancy has never fully disappeared.—
Ken Toltz,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Analysts have noted Mojtaba's lack of adequate religious credentials and hesitance within the regime to oversee a dynastic succession as marks against his candidacy to be the next supreme leader.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Her only hesitance was how much the internet has changed culture in the past decade.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the road flows into Missouri, plan a leg-stretching pause at Meramec Caverns in the leafy Ozarks.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Denver’s mayor has already instituted a similar pause.—
Eric Schmidt,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This delay meant that, as guests waited for the ceremony to begin, the sun had set and candles had to be lit inside the church.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Motorists should anticipate delays, plan ahead and choose alternate routes.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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