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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitance
One of the factors weighing on Netanyahu in his hesitance to fire him now has been fear of a second such night.
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Mick Krever, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024
Enforcement is slow, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health is understaffed and hesitance to report poor conditions is widespread among low-wage workers.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024
Another thing that has noticeably changed as her popularity has grown is Swift's hesitance to talk about politics in public or her music.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2024
The threat of losing their medical license could further amplify that hesitance to act, some critics have speculated.
—William Morris, USA TODAY, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitance 
Mick Krever, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024
Enforcement is slow, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health is understaffed and hesitance to report poor conditions is widespread among low-wage workers.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024
Another thing that has noticeably changed as her popularity has grown is Swift's hesitance to talk about politics in public or her music.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2024
The threat of losing their medical license could further amplify that hesitance to act, some critics have speculated.
—William Morris, USA TODAY, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
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Some residents also expressed reluctance to support the measure, citing the already high cost of living as their main deterrent.Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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This indicates a reluctance to take responsibility and hampers collaboration.Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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While the women are coming in oozing with persona and charisma, there is still a sense of hesitation in trying to mark their territory.Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
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In new partnerships, there’s often a sense of hesitation as both sides gauge each other’s commitment.Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The event signals a substantial nod of confidence in Harris from a critical part of the LGBTQ+ community that has historically eyed her with hesitancy.Condé Nast, Them, 15 Aug. 2024
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Many attribute their hesitancy to the perception that physicians are unwilling or unable to help.Henry Bair, STAT, 31 July 2024
Noun
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Ahmed said that as long as the platforms’ approach to false and misleading content remain the same, a temporary pause on political ads during election week is likely to have little impact.Clare Duffy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
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The latest: In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests orchestrated by Coinbase related to the pause letters, the FDIC responded with the descriptions of 23 different communications entered into evidence last week in a case over the records.Brady Dale, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hesitance
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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