as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
in Congress there was a lot of fence-sitting, with many representatives waiting to see which way the political wind was blowing
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Recent Examples of fence-sitting
The outcome of this exceptionally tight presidential race may turn on whether Harris, in these final days of the campaign, can convince enough fence-sitting voters to embrace that message.
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David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
After the meeting, three delegates who had been fence-sitting for months sought me out for the secret handshake.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024
The endorsement is just one part of Harris' strategy to win over fence-sitting Republican voters.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2024
With the world watching, President Biden delivered a press conference performance strong enough to buy time from fence-sitting Democrats — but wobbly enough to keep the mutiny armed and dangerous.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 12 July 2024
In an impassioned speech – sketched out on little notecards, no less – Rhys had managed to sway enough of the fence-sitting members, and the bylaws had been amended.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
Given the close nature of the race, these fence-sitting voters could play a crucial role in determining who will become the next president.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
That question must haunt the pair — director-writer John Ridley and his star Regina King — who collaborated on this sometimes touching but fence-sitting portrayal of Chisholm.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Mar. 2024
Washington also needs to strengthen the incentives for fence-sitting countries to work with the United States by offering better access to the American market.
—Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
After the meeting, three delegates who had been fence-sitting for months sought me out for the secret handshake.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024
The endorsement is just one part of Harris' strategy to win over fence-sitting Republican voters.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2024
With the world watching, President Biden delivered a press conference performance strong enough to buy time from fence-sitting Democrats — but wobbly enough to keep the mutiny armed and dangerous.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 12 July 2024
In an impassioned speech – sketched out on little notecards, no less – Rhys had managed to sway enough of the fence-sitting members, and the bylaws had been amended.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
Given the close nature of the race, these fence-sitting voters could play a crucial role in determining who will become the next president.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
That question must haunt the pair — director-writer John Ridley and his star Regina King — who collaborated on this sometimes touching but fence-sitting portrayal of Chisholm.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Mar. 2024
Washington also needs to strengthen the incentives for fence-sitting countries to work with the United States by offering better access to the American market.
—Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fence-sitting
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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After Lee placed executions on pause, The Tennessean reported in late May 2022 that the state had failed to follow its lethal injection procedures since resuming executions in 2018 after a nine-year hiatus.Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 27 Dec. 2024
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In finance, the very essence of responsibility, accountability and conscious choice stems from the pause that friction provides.Alex Kreger, Forbes, 27 Dec. 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
Thesaurus Entries Near fence-sitting
Cite this Entry
“Fence-sitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fence-sitting. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
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