as in hesitancy
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
one moment's hesitation on my part, and the elusive butterfly was lost to me forever
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Recent Examples of hesitation
Now is not the time for hesitation on progressive policies.
—
Ashwani Jain, Baltimore Sun, 24 Nov. 2024
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
After initial hesitation, investors have warmed up to Schumacher’s growth plan.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitation 
Ashwani Jain, Baltimore Sun, 24 Nov. 2024
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
After initial hesitation, investors have warmed up to Schumacher’s growth plan.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
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 hesitance could jeopardize the continent's climate goals and its automotive sector, which is heavily reliant on transitioning to EVs.Robert Rapier, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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As the war in Ukraine escalated and the enmity between Moscow and its Western rivals deepened, Lukashenko's apparent hesitance to fully commit to the conflict seems to have bought him some level of freedom from retaliation.David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Dec. 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
Noun
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White and wet Christmas conditions have led to delays for holiday travelers returning home on Thursday as rain and mountain snow batter the Pacific Northwest and strong thunderstorms rumble in the South.Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024
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That could lead to more errors and longer processing delays for borrowers applying for student loan forgiveness under PSLF and other programs.Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hesitation
Cite this Entry
“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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