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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Recent Examples of hesitation
Portugal has expressed hesitation about moving forward with its own F-35 acquisition plans, with outgoing defense chief Nuno Melo seeming to reference a shift in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump.
—
Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Voters’ Voices This article is part of a series of check-ins with a variety of voters who made their choices in November’s election with some hesitation.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025
The host then ran over to Sabrina and flipped the container over without a moment’s hesitation, spilling dirt on the table and across the floor.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Others declined to comment, while Council members Roger Dickinson and Mai Vang cited initial hesitation.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Voters’ Voices This article is part of a series of check-ins with a variety of voters who made their choices in November’s election with some hesitation.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025
The host then ran over to Sabrina and flipped the container over without a moment’s hesitation, spilling dirt on the table and across the floor.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Others declined to comment, while Council members Roger Dickinson and Mai Vang cited initial hesitation.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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Despite the air of hesitancy partially clouding the results, the project strikes a hopeful chord for wildlife conservation.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
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At least one legislator expressed hesitancy during a Senate committee vote Wednesday about the legislation’s expansive footprint.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The war plans group chat uncovered by a journalist at The Atlantic exposed some daylight between Vice President Vance and others in the administration, showing Vance’s hesitance about launching a military strike that President Trump has hailed this week as necessary and successful.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
29 Mar. 2025
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This often shows up in subtle ways: a reluctance to apply for promotions, a hesitance to speak up in high-stakes meetings, or discomfort in presenting a polished resume or LinkedIn profile.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This marks the end of a yearslong pause that began at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
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Listen to this article The Adams administration’s move to put federal immigration authorities on Rikers Island is on pause, with a judge ruling Monday that the administration can’t take any steps towards a formal agreement until a court hearing later this week.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Under cost-cutting orders from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, purchasing cards had been frozen, requiring approvals for all but emergency expenses, which sometimes meant lengthy delays.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Anyone who pays close attention to the launch industry knows delays are part of the business.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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