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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hesitation If Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is on the board, the Broncos should turn in the card without hesitation. —
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026 His coach, John Acevedo, sees that hesitation as part of the work. —Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 There was no hesitation to Andi’s movements. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 To ease hesitation internationally to use products with the Bank of America name, the company rebranded as Visa. —Brandon Holveck, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026 His coach, John Acevedo, sees that hesitation as part of the work. —Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 There was no hesitation to Andi’s movements. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 To ease hesitation internationally to use products with the Bank of America name, the company rebranded as Visa. —Brandon Holveck, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
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Despite Pickford’s relative hesitancy to engage aerially, Everton have been one of the most effective teams in the league at defending corners, conceding just five goals, the joint third fewest in the Premier League.— Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
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This hesitancy is showing up in the market.— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Shares of McCormick fell 6% in morning trading, while Unilever's stock down 4%, reflecting investors' hesitance about the mega-merger.— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday Ukraine is ready to mirror any ceasefire steps, having earlier proposed to Russia a pause in attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure over the Orthodox Easter holiday.— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
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Leon, in issuing the temporary pause, concluded that the preservationist group behind the legal challenge was likely to succeed because the president lacks the authority to build the ballroom without approval from Congress.— Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Plane outlets are often slow, loose, or even nonexistent, and when delays stack up, a dead phone becomes a real problem—not just an inconvenience.— Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
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The lanes are shut down on the Palmetto between 58th and 36th streeets, causing major delays and backups.— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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