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
There has often been more hesitation in him during those games, less freedom, and those are themes within these first few Liverpool matches, too.
—
Andy Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
For a virus spread by close contact, hesitation meant more disease transmission, more cases, and more suffering.
—Dr. Nikki Romanik, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Without any additional hesitation, McMillian hustled over to the white backdrop to pose alongside Curry.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
His hesitation has been seen publicly as naïve and risky, eroding faith in the monarchy.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Andy Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
For a virus spread by close contact, hesitation meant more disease transmission, more cases, and more suffering.
—Dr. Nikki Romanik, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Without any additional hesitation, McMillian hustled over to the white backdrop to pose alongside Curry.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
His hesitation has been seen publicly as naïve and risky, eroding faith in the monarchy.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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Christine, 53, now tells PEOPLE about her hesitancy to return to the series that made her family household names.—
Dory Jackson,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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Educational research shows that spoken practice strengthens memory and reduces hesitancy more effectively than passive drills, which is why Airlearn places conversation at the core of its design.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Chatter in the market revolved around the reasons for the downturn – rising competition from streaming platforms, consumer belt-tightening and hesitance on the part of investors and studios – as well as possible solutions.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
24 Sep. 2025
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Shares have remained relatively stable, affected by investor hesitance regarding China’s steel demand and ongoing worries about Brazil's regulatory landscape.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The funding pause leaves many new homeowners in high-flood risk areas scrambling for protection and could halt the processing of current damage claims.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Contrast that with Robert Lewandowski, whose stutter, pause, judder, wait for the ’keeper to dive and then place it wide of the post didn’t work for Barcelona during their surprise defeat away to Sevilla a few hours later.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Pontifical Academies also warned that delay raises systemic risks (economic, social, and health related) echoing the investor logic that policy certainty lowers risk premia.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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That delay could expose Club name Boeing to sizable non-cash accounting charges.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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