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
Relevance
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
Examples 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 hesitance
In its hesitance to allow women to express negative emotion, House of the Dragon leaves them feeling curiously detached.
—
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
-
Historically, the reluctance of insurance companies to cover obesity medications is born out of a belief that obesity is a personal failing.Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
-
The out and proud Ted comes to visit Steven midway through season 1, and provides a fascinating contrast to Steven's reluctance to embrace his sexuality, primarily out of fear of his father's reprisal.Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Focus on retention, education, activation, new tech and rewarding your people to start the next year with momentum, not hesitation.Yogesh Shah, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
-
Despite potential hesitation from fellow Republicans, Trump persists that the former Fox News host is ethically equipped to handle the role.Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Related article What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed One reason for the hesitancy is that prices at the grocery store remain elevated to cook that classic Thanksgiving dinner.Alexandra Skores, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
-
But there was also a hesitancy at the back that allowed the visitors to stride forward unopposed.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
This time of year offers a natural pause to evaluate the past and consider the future.Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
-
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 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share