1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
sales figures for the month were up, as consumers began to overcome their hesitance about purchasing big-ticket items
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
she mistook my hesitance to mean I didn't like her poem, but I was trying to come up with appropriate words of praise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitance
As Gaetz's controversies dominated the news cycle and senators on both sides of the aisle expressed hesitance about confirming his nomination, murmurs arose that the Ethics Committee was thinking about finally releasing its report on the lawmaker given the strong public interest.
—
Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
There was a certain reticence and hesitance from Utah’s shooters.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
While not referring specifically to Florida's case, Redfin experts said that the election is playing a role in the hesitance of buyers and sellers in the U.S. housing market.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
It was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 1 but has yet to make it to a calendar, which could suggest hesitance to take up a measure legal staff has cautioned could bring constitutional challenges.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitance 
Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
There was a certain reticence and hesitance from Utah’s shooters.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
While not referring specifically to Florida's case, Redfin experts said that the election is playing a role in the hesitance of buyers and sellers in the U.S. housing market.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
It was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 1 but has yet to make it to a calendar, which could suggest hesitance to take up a measure legal staff has cautioned could bring constitutional challenges.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
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Is his reluctance to use a specialist centre-forward counter-productive?—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
America First Legal, which touts itself as a counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, recently issued letters to police leaders in Los Angeles and San Diego lampooning their reluctance to aid immigration agents.—
Rick Hurd,
The Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This hesitation could mean pharmaceutical companies are missing out on a major opportunity to connect with viewers, according to a new analysis by the TV outcomes firm EDO.—
Bruce Gil,
Quartz,
2 Feb. 2025
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Fran: One of the bigger stories out of this year’s Sundance has been distributors’ hesitation — whether due to lingering effects of the fires or buyers’ skepticism or some combination — to buy up the stronger films at the festival.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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It’s been nearly a year since No Other Land debuted at the Berlin Film Festival, setting off a chain of hesitancy and urgency around films that address the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Palestine.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2025
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The internal review blamed privacy restrictions and staff hesitancy for their failure to quickly notify the president and other senior leaders about Austin’s hospitalization.—
Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Department of State announced this pause on Sunday.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
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What To Know Friday's execution will be the first in the state following a pause over the Christmas holiday.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hesitance
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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