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
While that hesitation is healthy (generally, reimagining your routine as often as social media encourages isn’t always best), turns out there is actual merit to tweaking your products along with the evolving seasons.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
His short responses feel distant, and his hesitation comes across as disinterest.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Before indie-pop band Voxtrot reunited in 2022 after a dozen years apart, vocalist and songwriter Ramesh Srivastava had some hesitation about restarting the project.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Whitney had expected hesitation around unfamiliar flavors.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
His short responses feel distant, and his hesitation comes across as disinterest.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Before indie-pop band Voxtrot reunited in 2022 after a dozen years apart, vocalist and songwriter Ramesh Srivastava had some hesitation about restarting the project.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Whitney had expected hesitation around unfamiliar flavors.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
-
Since the conflict in Iran began, travel agents have reported some hesitancy among travelers to purchase upcoming cruises.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Mar. 2026
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Lindsay pointed out that that hesitancy, combined with the ongoing controversy, may lead viewers to lose trust in the franchise as a whole.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
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Analysts have noted Mojtaba's lack of adequate religious credentials and hesitance within the regime to oversee a dynastic succession as marks against his candidacy to be the next supreme leader.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The pause applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end April 19.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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But if your friend has no idea what your partner’s talking about, that could be reason to take pause, Charlot said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Balancing these two extremes, fear that delays and haste that risks reinjury, is key, Webster said.—
Ian McMahan,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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The rain again caused multiple delays throughout the mostly gray, sometimes sunny and unseasonably cool day, in the end postponing at least six matches.—
Susan Miller Degnan,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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