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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hesitation
Yet intimacy emerges in the smallest details: a glance held a second too long, a hesitation before reaching out, the quiet understanding that needs no words.
—
Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
But going back to Albuquerque wasn’t without its hesitations.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Another source has suggested the reason for Charles’ hesitation might go deeper.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 Apr. 2025
The source of hesitation is President Trump’s latest tariffs, which, as announced earlier this month, included a 46% tax on imports from Vietnam, the country’s eighth-largest trading partner.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
But going back to Albuquerque wasn’t without its hesitations.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Another source has suggested the reason for Charles’ hesitation might go deeper.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 Apr. 2025
The source of hesitation is President Trump’s latest tariffs, which, as announced earlier this month, included a 46% tax on imports from Vietnam, the country’s eighth-largest trading partner.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
-
Despite the air of hesitancy partially clouding the results, the project strikes a hopeful chord for wildlife conservation.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
-
At least one legislator expressed hesitancy during a Senate committee vote Wednesday about the legislation’s expansive footprint.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The war plans group chat uncovered by a journalist at The Atlantic exposed some daylight between Vice President Vance and others in the administration, showing Vance’s hesitance about launching a military strike that President Trump has hailed this week as necessary and successful.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
29 Mar. 2025
-
This often shows up in subtle ways: a reluctance to apply for promotions, a hesitance to speak up in high-stakes meetings, or discomfort in presenting a polished resume or LinkedIn profile.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This marks the end of a yearslong pause that began at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Listen to this article The Adams administration’s move to put federal immigration authorities on Rikers Island is on pause, with a judge ruling Monday that the administration can’t take any steps towards a formal agreement until a court hearing later this week.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Under cost-cutting orders from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, purchasing cards had been frozen, requiring approvals for all but emergency expenses, which sometimes meant lengthy delays.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Anyone who pays close attention to the launch industry knows delays are part of the business.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share