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
The record has a mix of feel-good anthems, as well as moodier tracks that cover weightier subject matter — and MGK had no hesitations wearing his heart on his tattooed sleeve once again this era.
—
Jeff Nelson, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Music can reduce hesitation in emergencies by providing a familiar and structured rhythm.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2025
Still, the key to first-person address, as that great Renaissance master Michel de Montaigne understood, is not to subtract complication but to supply it, registering doubt, hesitation, and irony even while developing an argument.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
So when the owners of Telescope Pictures, the sole bearer of the 75-year-old Ocean City tradition, asked the council for help staying afloat, the council had no hesitation in lending a hand.
—Brendan Nordstrom, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Jeff Nelson, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Music can reduce hesitation in emergencies by providing a familiar and structured rhythm.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2025
Still, the key to first-person address, as that great Renaissance master Michel de Montaigne understood, is not to subtract complication but to supply it, registering doubt, hesitation, and irony even while developing an argument.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
So when the owners of Telescope Pictures, the sole bearer of the 75-year-old Ocean City tradition, asked the council for help staying afloat, the council had no hesitation in lending a hand.
—Brendan Nordstrom, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
-
But new listings were down also, a sign of seller hesitancy and the end of the peak summer selling season.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The hesitancy from his end will probably come from a lack of playing time.—
Tom Rende,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
-
Since many experts predict a recession in the near future, this only stokes the fear of loss further when the hesitance is high to begin with.—
Tim Koller,
Time,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
The pause will not impact already existing valid visas, according to the memo, and some applications — including official and C-3 diplomatic visas — will continue to be processed.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Trim Non-Customer-Facing Costs Start by trimming non-customer-facing costs, including rent and travel, and pause hiring.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The story of the day will largely be that weather delay and the seemingly avoidable circumstances around it.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The manager keeps coming up with new delays and excuses why this basic amenity has been ignored.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share