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
And, in the Japanese dub, the pairs’ voice actors Kikunosuke Toya and Reina Ueda do a fantastic job, emphasizing Denji and Reze’s immaturity and hesitation in this burgeoning relationship.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
However, as the wedding got closer, both Megan and Jordan expressed hesitation over their opposing personalities and lives.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
That hesitation allowed room for Nick to swoop in and declare his love for Annie.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
But Hassett expressed hesitation about Democrats’ top demand – that expiring health care subsidies in the Affordable Care Act are extended to keep insurance premiums from increasing.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
However, as the wedding got closer, both Megan and Jordan expressed hesitation over their opposing personalities and lives.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
That hesitation allowed room for Nick to swoop in and declare his love for Annie.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
But Hassett expressed hesitation about Democrats’ top demand – that expiring health care subsidies in the Affordable Care Act are extended to keep insurance premiums from increasing.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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Her hesitancy alone is treated as a question in need of an answer rather than a valid response to an increasingly complex choice.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
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Jennifer Lawrence opened up about her hesitancy about speaking to the press during an interview with The New Yorker published Monday.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The judge continued to echo his hesitance following the reveal and shared an Instagram Stories post posing the question for fans.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Now, there is some reason for hesitance here, mainly because Raymond could be playing with a rotating cast on his line’s left wing this season.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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If the pause continues, Forgotten Harvest will extensively fundraise.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Congress signed into law a divest-or-ban order during the Biden administration, but Trump—whose Justice Department must enforce a ban—issued, then repeatedly extended, an enforcement pause in the interest of coming to terms about divestiture.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Once again, LaGuardia Airport was particularly affected by delays, with 132 disruptions, as was John F Kennedy International Airport (102) and Logan International Airport (98).—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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On Saturday, Egypt’s showpiece museum officially opens its doors after innumerable interruptions, delays and setbacks.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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