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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hesitance
In its hesitance to allow women to express negative emotion, House of the Dragon leaves them feeling curiously detached.
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Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 July 2024
Hollywood’s hesitance to fully embrace non-English programming remains a barrier, but that seems to have fallen this year.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Sep. 2024
The Ransomware Surge and the Cost of Inaction Ransomware also remains a lucrative and low-risk endeavor for cybercriminals, fueled by organizations’ hesitance to disrupt their operations with preventive measures.
—Craig Burland, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
The hesitance is largely due to employer’s compliance and logistics concerns in its implementation, even after the IRS issued additional guidance in August.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitance 
Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 July 2024
Hollywood’s hesitance to fully embrace non-English programming remains a barrier, but that seems to have fallen this year.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Sep. 2024
The Ransomware Surge and the Cost of Inaction Ransomware also remains a lucrative and low-risk endeavor for cybercriminals, fueled by organizations’ hesitance to disrupt their operations with preventive measures.
—Craig Burland, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
The hesitance is largely due to employer’s compliance and logistics concerns in its implementation, even after the IRS issued additional guidance in August.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
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At Wolves, Nuno would often be criticised by supporters for his reluctance to use his substitutes to make tactical tweaks during matches.Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
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However, the president's comments are a notable shift from his earlier reluctance to take a position.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This rare moment of hesitation from a man who is usually so sure-footed in the recording studio underscores the paradox of Edgar Barrera: a towering figure in Latin music who is most often behind the scenes.Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
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Even after the invasion, the Biden administration’s assistance to Ukraine was beset by hesitation, needless restrictions, and endless deliberation.Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Even following such an uplifting and dominant win, Newcastle’s baffling, up-and-down campaign demands such hesitancy.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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While understandable, this hesitancy can hinder innovative solutions to the sector's challenges.Seth Darling, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
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This time of year offers a natural pause to evaluate the past and consider the future.Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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Drone activity over the weekend forced a pause on air traffic in at least two states.Emma Bowman, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hesitance
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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