hesitation

noun

hes·​i·​ta·​tion ˌhe-zə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of hesitating

2

: a pausing or faltering in speech

Synonyms

• faltering
• fence-sitting
• hesitance
• hesitancy
• indecision
• irresolution
• pause
• shilly-shally
• shilly-shallying
• vacillation
• wavering
• wobbling
• wabbling

Examples of hesitation in a Sentence

one moment's hesitation on my part, and the elusive butterfly was lost to me forever

Recent Examples on the Web

The post would simply entail a photo and a caption, but Whitney still has hesitations. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024

But direct managers can play an outsized role with getting their workers of all kinds onboard with the technology, and women in particular, by addressing hesitation head on, and setting clear goals and guidelines. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024

The ongoing outflows reflect broader market uncertainty and hesitation around digital assets, even as the industry awaits potential catalysts for a reversal in sentiment. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 4 Sep. 2024

But the chair of the Black Caucus, Assemblymember Lori Wilson, vehemently denied that, saying the caucus had its own hesitations. —Cal Matters, The Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hesitation

• without hesitation