1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
sales figures for the month were up, as consumers began to overcome their hesitance about purchasing big-ticket items
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
she mistook my hesitance to mean I didn't like her poem, but I was trying to come up with appropriate words of praise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitance
Their hesitance comes in the wake of executive orders targeting some of the country’s most powerful law firms, which have split between fighting the orders and compliance agreements.
—
Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Damar Hamlin’s hesitance in coverage again showed why the Bills are looking at him as more of a backup role, but now their other depth safety options in Hancock and Lewis are injured.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Farmer said feelings of shame can contribute to caregivers’ hesitance to discuss suicidal thoughts.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 29 July 2025
While there might be some hesitance from prospective donors worried about a possible economic recession, for the most part, the district has seen contributions increase.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Damar Hamlin’s hesitance in coverage again showed why the Bills are looking at him as more of a backup role, but now their other depth safety options in Hancock and Lewis are injured.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Farmer said feelings of shame can contribute to caregivers’ hesitance to discuss suicidal thoughts.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 29 July 2025
While there might be some hesitance from prospective donors worried about a possible economic recession, for the most part, the district has seen contributions increase.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
-
The reluctance to delegate is understandable.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This is compelling in its own right, as the current practice facility (Joe Craft Center) was built in 2007 and athletics director Mitch Barnhart's reluctance to erect a new one was a catalyst in coach John Calipari's departure.—
Payton Titus,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Swinney has been openly critical of the evolving college football landscape, showing strong hesitation to bend his long-standing coaching philosophies.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Machiavelli expressed the idea in The Prince that choosing a side—regardless of the outcome—is always better than neutrality, asserting that action preserves options while hesitation loses them.—
Koray Köse,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still, there was a lingering hesitancy that often got in his way.—
Stephen Galloway,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
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These patient and clinician concerns about AI’s role in healthcare point to a broad hesitancy to leverage the technology across the industry.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The pause will last three years and could save restaurants $850 in fees annually while potentially boosting their sales.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
15 Sep. 2025
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People hear your tone, your pauses, your personality.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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