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
While the #MeToo movement has set the stage for French society to listen when survivors of abuse come forward, there is still some hesitancy within families to accept what happened at Bétharram.
—
Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 2025
Despite his hesitancy about giving up his role, Devers adjusted to being an everyday DH.
—Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Yet investors in recent weeks had shown hesitancy about longer-duration bonds like the 30-year bond, Hughey said.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
Usually developers are more than happy to broadcast their renderings far and wide, and their hesitancy here is a small but unmistakable red flag.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 2025
Despite his hesitancy about giving up his role, Devers adjusted to being an everyday DH.
—Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Yet investors in recent weeks had shown hesitancy about longer-duration bonds like the 30-year bond, Hughey said.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
Usually developers are more than happy to broadcast their renderings far and wide, and their hesitancy here is a small but unmistakable red flag.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
-
Although the cap mirrors a G7 mechanism, U.S. reluctance to support a lower price forced the EU to act independently.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Hazel’s reluctance stems from her personal knowledge of the priest.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
The right people are drawn to energy, not hesitation.—
JW Roth,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
Decades later in an interview with The Saturday Evening Post, Brolin reflected on his initial hesitation to take the role.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Several major automakers are investing billions of dollars into American EV production despite the U.S. hesitance to adopt EVs.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
-
Despite hesitance from some Republican senators, all of Trump’s nominees who have come for a vote on the floor have been confirmed, even his most contentious picks.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Decisions are made, the next task appears, and there’s little pause to examine what worked or what missed.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Even though no funding has been cut, Jackson condemned the administration, contending the effect of the pause is going to be massive and could result in North Carolina firing about 1,000 educators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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