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
Chiron in your 2nd House highlights something tied to confidence or hesitation.
—
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
In a moment demanding courage, discipline and split-second judgment, men and women charged with protecting the president moved without hesitation toward duty, even at personal risk.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2026
At a moment when media literacy feels increasingly fragile worldwide, that hesitation from someone as beloved as Serkis matters.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
If work or career is pulling you somewhere new, say yes without hesitation.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
In a moment demanding courage, discipline and split-second judgment, men and women charged with protecting the president moved without hesitation toward duty, even at personal risk.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2026
At a moment when media literacy feels increasingly fragile worldwide, that hesitation from someone as beloved as Serkis matters.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
If work or career is pulling you somewhere new, say yes without hesitation.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
-
State data suggests this hesitancy may continue into childhood.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Pickford’s relative hesitancy to engage aerially, Everton have been one of the most effective teams in the league at defending corners, conceding just five goals, the joint third fewest in the Premier League.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After a pause for the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, social hesitance was still evident and masks were incorporated into some of the night's designs.—
Luis Giraldo,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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Sensing hesitance as well as incompetence, coaches and players alike tried to sway the flailing fill-ins at every turn.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Chapman ended up getting turned around and tagged out, but his pause allowed Devers to score.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
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Bass, after a brief pause, also said yes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Heidi Vonblum, the city’s planning director, said the delay will allow the city to help neighborhoods that have suffered from past city zoning practices, including zoning based on race or ethnicity.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Gas prices, which tend to follow moves in oil with a delay, were slightly higher on May 7.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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