1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
his appointment to the superintendency was confirmed by the school board without the least hesitancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
his hesitancy in pulling over into the next lane while he had a chance resulted in him missing his exit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitancy
Backlash against Harvard’s initial response to antisemitism accusations Harvard’s initial hesitancy to condemn the Hamas terror attack led to accusations that Harvard had become tolerant of antisemitism.
—
Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Long after his work was exposed as fraudulent, Wakefield left a legacy of harm that persists even today, Vaccine hesitancy is rising again in the United States.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
There was a clear hesitancy on Bella's part to get up onto the couch, but Anna was determined to change that.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Some critics have blamed the arguments Kennedy has advanced for increasing hesitancy to get vaccines and allowing the disease to spread to its current outbreak, causing the first deaths from the disease since 2015.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Long after his work was exposed as fraudulent, Wakefield left a legacy of harm that persists even today, Vaccine hesitancy is rising again in the United States.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
There was a clear hesitancy on Bella's part to get up onto the couch, but Anna was determined to change that.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Some critics have blamed the arguments Kennedy has advanced for increasing hesitancy to get vaccines and allowing the disease to spread to its current outbreak, causing the first deaths from the disease since 2015.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
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Perhaps what’s driving continued reluctance to cover these products for weight loss is the overall impact that GLP-1s have on employers’ pharmacy budgets.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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But that would be a huge change in direction, given his consistent reluctance to confront and punish the Kremlin so far.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
26 May 2025
Noun
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At the time, there was some hesitation in the industry about partnering with a Chinese drugmaker.—
Kerry A. Dolan,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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However, during the hearing, lobbyists for both the Chiefs and Royals would not commit to staying in Missouri if the plan passed, which could spark hesitation among some senators.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
Noun
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But that is where the similarities end, and where the hesitance to believe the Knicks had a chance at the reigning champs seeps in deep.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
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This hesitance only reinforces the false narrative that race is a divisive topic rather than an integral part of understanding American society.—
Anne Tapp Jaksa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enroll in summer and fall terms.—
Annie Ma,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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What To Know Secretary of State Marco Rubio had signed and sent a diplomatic cable on Tuesday ordering the pause to student visa interviews and outlining a shift in vetting procedures.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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