1
as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
his appointment to the superintendency was confirmed by the school board without the least hesitancy
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
his hesitancy in pulling over into the next lane while he had a chance resulted in him missing his exit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hesitancy
But despite travelers’ hesitancy, some South Floridians with deep connections to the country say now is an important time to go.
—
Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
Diaz’s weird positioning and Vazquez’s hesitancy allow Lodi and Al-Dawsari to combine…
… before the left winger sets up Marcos Leonardo, but the centre-forward misses the target.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 19 June 2025
This hesitancy to sign players to long-term deals ended their ability to transition their historic 2018 roster into a dynasty.
—Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The preservative’s safety has been thoroughly studied, but was removed from all childhood vaccines in 2001 to try to address parents’ hesitancy.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
Diaz’s weird positioning and Vazquez’s hesitancy allow Lodi and Al-Dawsari to combine…
… before the left winger sets up Marcos Leonardo, but the centre-forward misses the target.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 19 June 2025
This hesitancy to sign players to long-term deals ended their ability to transition their historic 2018 roster into a dynasty.
—Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The preservative’s safety has been thoroughly studied, but was removed from all childhood vaccines in 2001 to try to address parents’ hesitancy.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hesitancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy
Noun
-
Although the cap mirrors a G7 mechanism, U.S. reluctance to support a lower price forced the EU to act independently.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Hazel’s reluctance stems from her personal knowledge of the priest.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Decades later in an interview with The Saturday Evening Post, Brolin reflected on his initial hesitation to take the role.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
18 July 2025
-
The right people are drawn to energy, not hesitation.—
JW Roth,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Yet there remains a hesitance about criticizing the president directly.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
Still, there is a hesitance to accept psychedelics in the psychiatric community.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Decisions are made, the next task appears, and there’s little pause to examine what worked or what missed.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Even though no funding has been cut, Jackson condemned the administration, contending the effect of the pause is going to be massive and could result in North Carolina firing about 1,000 educators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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