1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
his appointment to the superintendency was confirmed by the school board without the least hesitancy
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
his hesitancy in pulling over into the next lane while he had a chance resulted in him missing his exit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitancy
Finally, Jim said that our hesitancy to sell is due to fear that the company will figure out how to solve its AI woes.
—
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
That hesitancy has never fully disappeared.
—Ken Toltz, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
His hesitancy has become a referendum.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson also participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to battle hesitancy in Black communities.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
That hesitancy has never fully disappeared.
—Ken Toltz, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
His hesitancy has become a referendum.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson also participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to battle hesitancy in Black communities.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
-
In the same Easter lunch, the president reiterated some of his complaints about NATO allies for their reluctance to get involved in securing the Strait of Hormuz while suggesting that China, Japan and South Korea could also step up to reopen the waterway.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Crumbley and Gray convictions suggest this reluctance may be waning.—
Marcia Zug,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
That likely means there won’t be any hesitance by Stammen to use his higher-leverage relievers today and tomorrow.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That the Astros even added Vázquez underscores their hesitance to hand César Salazar the backup role, despite Salazar’s familiarity with their pitching staff and strong clubhouse reputation.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After a pause earlier this month to make way for the WGA talks, negotiation are set to pick up with the Sean Astin-run SAG-AFTRA in June, if not sooner.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of plowing ahead with the current design, perhaps a pause is warranted.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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