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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitance
Lobell said cost plays a key role in the hesitance to innovate.
—
James Manso, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Renick said that Gemma's hesitance to accept treats likely stems from her past, which remains a mystery but clearly included hardships.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Critics believe the government's hesitance to offer federal protections stems partly from political pressure from the oil and gas industry.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 20 May 2024
Edwards is not a natural lob thrower, and his hesitance to throw the ball to Gobert in traffic put a ceiling on the Timberwolves offense.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 22 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
James Manso, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Renick said that Gemma's hesitance to accept treats likely stems from her past, which remains a mystery but clearly included hardships.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Critics believe the government's hesitance to offer federal protections stems partly from political pressure from the oil and gas industry.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 20 May 2024
Edwards is not a natural lob thrower, and his hesitance to throw the ball to Gobert in traffic put a ceiling on the Timberwolves offense.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 22 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
-
Here, technology can help traditional sports but there is a strong reluctance to change the essence of sport itself.—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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First-time show host Conan O’Brien explained the team’s reluctance.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Taking small steps toward dating and being open to new experiences can help break the cycle of hesitation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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But as the weeks passed, Minnie's initial hesitation turned into affection.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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Zoom out: The effort comes as some Republicans express hesitancy about Chavez-DeRemer.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Reuters reported that a senior USAID official wrote in a March 2 internal memo that a yearlong pause in USAID’s work on health, food and agriculture in the world’s poorest countries would raise malaria deaths by 40%, to between 71,000 and 166,000 annually.—
Christian Ruth,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2025
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How Trump’s trade war could hit your wallet After earlier threats and a last-minute pause in February, President Trump’s North American trade war has begun while the tariff battle with China escalated.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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