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
But that hesitation could be costing you, according to Maggie Baker, a financial therapist with more than 35 years in the field of psychology and money.
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Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Another reason for hesitation might be that California has other laws that must have the makers of Republican attack ads salivating with anticipation.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
There’s no hesitation or reservation about him.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Older exercisers who are new to strength training may feel shame or hesitation around their abilities, eventually leading to dropout.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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Big money’s hesitancy Wall Street hasn’t jumped on board with the same fervor as the average Joe.—
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Their efforts were met with hesitancy from some families — installing sensors required Ayala to enter homes for installation, and some families had privacy concerns around providing data to the sensors.—
Noun
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Citing Chinese academic research, the report notes that financial and time pressures, especially the cost and burden of child care, are major factors contributing to families’ hesitance.—
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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.—
Noun
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Federal lawmakers are trying to avoid another closure that would lead to furloughs of thousands of federal workers and a pause in some government operations.—
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Disneyland will restart its 70th anniversary celebration with a new menu lineup designed to tempt foodies and keep them coming back for more after pressing pause on the yearlong party during the Halloween and Christmas seasons.—
Noun
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From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.—
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Hi Lab positions HyDee as a response to those challenges by eliminating charging delays associated with battery systems.—
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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