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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitation
With no hesitation, Watson is confident the Chiefs will win their third consecutive Super Bowl.
—
Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2025
No hesitation playing in semifinal even with risk of aggravating injury.
—Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
This hesitation is likely due to concerns over potential legal liability if Trump reverses course and enforces the ban afterall.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Other high-profile candidates, it was noted, would have significant hesitation signing up to work with Poles as GM at all given his spotty track record in that role over three seasons.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hesitation 
Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2025
No hesitation playing in semifinal even with risk of aggravating injury.
—Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
This hesitation is likely due to concerns over potential legal liability if Trump reverses course and enforces the ban afterall.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Other high-profile candidates, it was noted, would have significant hesitation signing up to work with Poles as GM at all given his spotty track record in that role over three seasons.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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It’s been nearly a year since No Other Land debuted at the Berlin Film Festival, setting off a chain of hesitancy and urgency around films that address the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Palestine.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2025
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The internal review blamed privacy restrictions and staff hesitancy for their failure to quickly notify the president and other senior leaders about Austin’s hospitalization.—
Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Edwards is not a natural lob thrower, and his hesitance to throw the ball to Gobert in traffic put a ceiling on the Timberwolves offense.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
22 Apr. 2024
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This hesitance came courtesy of Putin, who attended the Bucharest conference and lobbied NATO to reject Kyiv’s bid.—
Andriy Zagorodnyuk,
Foreign Affairs,
1 June 2023
Noun
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The film sees Williams, represented via a CGI monkey, start to reconnect with childhood friends after briefly hitting pause on his solo career.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
28 Jan. 2025
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Democrats have raged over the order, with James announcing a plan to halt the pause, which is slated to be enacted by 5 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.—
Jack Birle,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Across the economy, such delays could mean a softer job market and more slowly growing economy.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
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The rule change is also likely to result in delivery delays since the packages now have to go through customs, Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of e-commerce intelligence firm Marketplace Pulse, told the Associated Press.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hesitation
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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