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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Recent Examples of hesitation
However, as the actress and comedian revealed in a recent conversation with VIBE, the transition didn’t come without its hesitations, moments of deep self-reflection, and, unfortunately, backlash from the public.
—
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
For those of us who popped lenses out of our cheap Wayfarers to mimic Skrillex’s frames or painted our faces in glitter well before Euphoria, there may be some hesitation to relive the era.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
The same vaccine hesitation that has fueled the measles outbreaks could also be contributing the resurgence of other infectious, vaccine-preventable and mitigated diseases that have previously been eliminated from or heavily controlled in the U.S.
Data: How did the measles outbreak spread?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
After years of hesitation, the national security space community is finally boarding the commercial space train, one that many of us have been pushing for since the early 2000’s.
—Charles Beames, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
For those of us who popped lenses out of our cheap Wayfarers to mimic Skrillex’s frames or painted our faces in glitter well before Euphoria, there may be some hesitation to relive the era.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
The same vaccine hesitation that has fueled the measles outbreaks could also be contributing the resurgence of other infectious, vaccine-preventable and mitigated diseases that have previously been eliminated from or heavily controlled in the U.S.
Data: How did the measles outbreak spread?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
After years of hesitation, the national security space community is finally boarding the commercial space train, one that many of us have been pushing for since the early 2000’s.
—Charles Beames, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
Noun
-
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
-
Pitching owners to invest in an unproven concept is often met with hesitancy.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The war plans group chat uncovered by a journalist at The Atlantic exposed some daylight between Vice President Vance and others in the administration, showing Vance’s hesitance about launching a military strike that President Trump has hailed this week as necessary and successful.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
29 Mar. 2025
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This often shows up in subtle ways: a reluctance to apply for promotions, a hesitance to speak up in high-stakes meetings, or discomfort in presenting a polished resume or LinkedIn profile.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And sometimes, a pause that lingers a moment longer than expected can speak louder than any update.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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After a five-year pause enacted by President Trump in March 2020.—
Ben Abrams,
NPR,
2 May 2025
Noun
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After months of delays, a resentencing hearing to determine whether the Menendez brothers should be released from prison after serving more than three decades is set to begin Tuesday.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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However, the case has been marked by a series of delays after his first trial ended in a hung jury.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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