as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
in Congress there was a lot of fence-sitting, with many representatives waiting to see which way the political wind was blowing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fence-sitting
The outcome of this exceptionally tight presidential race may turn on whether Harris, in these final days of the campaign, can convince enough fence-sitting voters to embrace that message.
—
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
After the meeting, three delegates who had been fence-sitting for months sought me out for the secret handshake.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024
The endorsement is just one part of Harris' strategy to win over fence-sitting Republican voters.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2024
With the world watching, President Biden delivered a press conference performance strong enough to buy time from fence-sitting Democrats — but wobbly enough to keep the mutiny armed and dangerous.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 12 July 2024
In an impassioned speech – sketched out on little notecards, no less – Rhys had managed to sway enough of the fence-sitting members, and the bylaws had been amended.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
Given the close nature of the race, these fence-sitting voters could play a crucial role in determining who will become the next president.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
That question must haunt the pair — director-writer John Ridley and his star Regina King — who collaborated on this sometimes touching but fence-sitting portrayal of Chisholm.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Mar. 2024
Washington also needs to strengthen the incentives for fence-sitting countries to work with the United States by offering better access to the American market.
—Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
After the meeting, three delegates who had been fence-sitting for months sought me out for the secret handshake.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024
The endorsement is just one part of Harris' strategy to win over fence-sitting Republican voters.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2024
With the world watching, President Biden delivered a press conference performance strong enough to buy time from fence-sitting Democrats — but wobbly enough to keep the mutiny armed and dangerous.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 12 July 2024
In an impassioned speech – sketched out on little notecards, no less – Rhys had managed to sway enough of the fence-sitting members, and the bylaws had been amended.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
Given the close nature of the race, these fence-sitting voters could play a crucial role in determining who will become the next president.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
That question must haunt the pair — director-writer John Ridley and his star Regina King — who collaborated on this sometimes touching but fence-sitting portrayal of Chisholm.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Mar. 2024
Washington also needs to strengthen the incentives for fence-sitting countries to work with the United States by offering better access to the American market.
—Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fence-sitting
Noun
-
Taking small steps toward dating and being open to new experiences can help break the cycle of hesitation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
But as the weeks passed, Minnie's initial hesitation turned into affection.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a fight ahead, and Jacob’s hesitancy to accept the changing times likely won’t be his ally in it.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Zoom out: The effort comes as some Republicans express hesitancy about Chavez-DeRemer.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The program is on pause after legal challenges from states, and the amount of savings its elimination could generate, $150 billion or more, depends on the status of the litigation.—
Margot Sanger-Katz,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
-
An offer sheet for this player would need to be significant to give Bowman pause, so $10 million times seven seasons would need to be a comfort zone for an opposition general manager.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In 2019, when recounting that milestone from her own perspective, McCaskey first recalled the sharp anxiety leading up to the game and her hesitance to answer any of the league’s logistical questions about preparing for the trophy presentation ceremony.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Intelligence officials are likely to be concerned about the long-term effect that Trump’s policies will have on their agencies’ roles and authorities, leading to caution and hesitance that harm operational effectiveness.—
Peter Schroeder,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fence-sitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fence-sitting. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share