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
My only hesitation in saying yes to eight years is that the player might be wise to see how high the salary cap goes — and where his game goes — before locking in long-term after his first full season.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Greg Cox with Compass said that in the $1 million or more market, May’s 5% sales volume dip in that category showed continued buyer hesitation.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 13 June 2025
The court also rejected the notion that Lively’s conduct — including her hesitation to promote the film and her insistence on workplace protections — amounted to extortion or breach.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Most purchases aren’t made through a purely logical process but are influenced by how customers feel in the moment—whether a price excites them, creates hesitation or triggers an impulse buy.
—Anton Timashev, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Greg Cox with Compass said that in the $1 million or more market, May’s 5% sales volume dip in that category showed continued buyer hesitation.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 13 June 2025
The court also rejected the notion that Lively’s conduct — including her hesitation to promote the film and her insistence on workplace protections — amounted to extortion or breach.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Most purchases aren’t made through a purely logical process but are influenced by how customers feel in the moment—whether a price excites them, creates hesitation or triggers an impulse buy.
—Anton Timashev, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
-
Despite his hesitancy about giving up his role, Devers adjusted to being an everyday DH.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Yet investors in recent weeks had shown hesitancy about longer-duration bonds like the 30-year bond, Hughey said.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 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
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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
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His ability to go both ways prompts a moment of pause from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, and Mbeumo takes the ball onto his weaker right foot and scores across goal.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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Anything beyond this month’s No. 20 should at least create pause.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The Trump budget cuts now mean Europe may have to go it alone, possibly facing further delays.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
30 June 2025
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Axiom Space Mission 4, a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, launched on Wednesday after an extended delay due to a long-standing leak issue at the in-orbit research facility.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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