hesitation
noun
hes·i·ta·tion
ˌhe-zə-ˈtā-shən 
1
: an act or instance of hesitating
A moment's hesitation could have meant disaster.
I would do it again without hesitation.
2
: a pausing or faltering in speech
Examples of hesitation in a Sentence
one moment's hesitation on my part, and the elusive butterfly was lost to me forever
Recent Examples on the Web
Some governments have had similar hesitations.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Connecticut students should not lose access to meaningful support because of hesitation.
—Christopher P. Desanctis, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
The Mets don’t have any hesitation in letting Benge face lefties, but wanted to keep Robert’s bat in the lineup.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Still, 36-year-old Rodriguez had some hesitation about sending her son, Miliano, to public school.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
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Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Connecticut students should not lose access to meaningful support because of hesitation.
—Christopher P. Desanctis, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
The Mets don’t have any hesitation in letting Benge face lefties, but wanted to keep Robert’s bat in the lineup.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Still, 36-year-old Rodriguez had some hesitation about sending her son, Miliano, to public school.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hesitation. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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