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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitation
Then, there are perspectives from recent news, including the financial woes facing Tennessee State University and a Tennessee connection to vaccine hesitation and misinformation that mentions none other than Ms. Dolly Parton herself.
—
David Plazas, The Tennessean, 1 Jan. 2025
Was there any hesitation to do this during the holidays?
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
This rare moment of hesitation from a man who is usually so sure-footed in the recording studio underscores the paradox of Edgar Barrera: a towering figure in Latin music who is most often behind the scenes.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
Even after the invasion, the Biden administration’s assistance to Ukraine was beset by hesitation, needless restrictions, and endless deliberation.
—Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitation 
David Plazas, The Tennessean, 1 Jan. 2025
Was there any hesitation to do this during the holidays?
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
This rare moment of hesitation from a man who is usually so sure-footed in the recording studio underscores the paradox of Edgar Barrera: a towering figure in Latin music who is most often behind the scenes.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
Even after the invasion, the Biden administration’s assistance to Ukraine was beset by hesitation, needless restrictions, and endless deliberation.
—Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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Participant hesitancy creates a real disadvantage when trying to communicate openly, develop an understanding of a person or situation, or negotiate effectively.—
Jason Foodman,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The timing of their pressing was off because of their hesitancy to press high.—
Charlotte Harpur,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Sahar Abi-Hassan, an assistant professor in political science at Northeastern University who studies the behavior of the Supreme Court, says the court might side with TikTok for several reasons, including its historical hesitance toward restricting speech.—
Lauren Feiner,
The Verge,
9 Jan. 2025
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Still, Zhu’s hesitance to speak about Shein’s exposure to Xinjiang at the hearing might have been born of pragmatic reasons, or perhaps even strategic ones.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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High-profile premieres have been canceled, and the city’s once-bustling red carpets are now on pause.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
16 Jan. 2025
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The result: The office tasked with managing the return to student loan repayment after a long pandemic pause, as well as the rollout of an overhauled FAFSA, was flat-funded for 2023.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This delay adds to a string of setbacks for New Glenn, which has been in development for a decade.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
13 Jan. 2025
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Complicating the court’s deliberations is that the nine-member court currently only has eight justices, due to a delay in filling vacancies left by retired justices.—
Helen Regan,
CNN,
13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hesitation
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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