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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitation
In those moments, her older sister Carson-Parry stepped in without hesitation.
—
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Rohrer, for her part, saw something familiar in Scheidt’s hesitation.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Without a beat of hesitation, the chickens move in.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The generous return policy encourages members to try new products without hesitation.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Rohrer, for her part, saw something familiar in Scheidt’s hesitation.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Without a beat of hesitation, the chickens move in.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The generous return policy encourages members to try new products without hesitation.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 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
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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
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Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
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Shares of McCormick fell 6% in morning trading, while Unilever's stock down 4%, reflecting investors' hesitance about the mega-merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Manny fields it, kind of checks and gets the pause, throws it to second.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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For savers, the Fed's ongoing rate pause has effectively preserved an unusually favorable rate environment, one where yields on certificates of deposit (CDs), high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts remain well above the long-term historical average.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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According to The Tennessean, trainers from both teams rushed out to assist Kennedy, and that caused a 15-minute delay in the game.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2026
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Two batters into the top of the sixth, a sudden, aggressive rain began pouring down on Citizens Bank Park, prompting a brisk 24-minute delay.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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