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 there was also another reason behind her hesitation.
—
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
This is a moment for vision, not hesitation.
—Nitesh Mirchandani, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
But any hesitation melted with my first interaction at the door.
—Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Pilsen parade-goers acknowledged the fear and hesitation in these pockets of the city’s Latino communities, backing organizers’ decisions to put a hold on their events.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
This is a moment for vision, not hesitation.
—Nitesh Mirchandani, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
But any hesitation melted with my first interaction at the door.
—Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Pilsen parade-goers acknowledged the fear and hesitation in these pockets of the city’s Latino communities, backing organizers’ decisions to put a hold on their events.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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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
-
Josh Brolin, who played big brother Brandon Walsh, expressed hesitance about a second movie.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Probably not, given the company’s strange hesitance to part ways with its current leadership.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 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
Noun
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Outdated or missing beneficiary designations are common and can lead to delays, unintended distributions or even disputes among heirs.—
Larry Light,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Reuters — The United Nations Security Council did not adopt a draft resolution on Friday to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, but Tehran and key European powers still have eight days to try and agree to a delay.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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