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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitance
While not referring specifically to Florida's case, Redfin experts said that the election is playing a role in the hesitance of buyers and sellers in the U.S. housing market.
—
Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
It was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 1 but has yet to make it to a calendar, which could suggest hesitance to take up a measure legal staff has cautioned could bring constitutional challenges.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 4 Mar. 2024
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
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
See all Example Sentences for hesitance 
Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
It was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 1 but has yet to make it to a calendar, which could suggest hesitance to take up a measure legal staff has cautioned could bring constitutional challenges.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 4 Mar. 2024
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
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
See all Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
-
Is his reluctance to use a specialist centre-forward counter-productive?—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
America First Legal, which touts itself as a counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, recently issued letters to police leaders in Los Angeles and San Diego lampooning their reluctance to aid immigration agents.—
Rick Hurd,
The Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This hesitation is likely due to concerns over potential legal liability if Trump reverses course and enforces the ban afterall.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Other high-profile candidates, it was noted, would have significant hesitation signing up to work with Poles as GM at all given his spotty track record in that role over three seasons.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Participant hesitancy creates a real disadvantage when trying to communicate openly, develop an understanding of a person or situation, or negotiate effectively.—
Jason Foodman,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The timing of their pressing was off because of their hesitancy to press high.—
Charlotte Harpur,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The result: The office tasked with managing the return to student loan repayment after a long pandemic pause, as well as the rollout of an overhauled FAFSA, was flat-funded for 2023.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
16 Jan. 2025
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High-profile premieres have been canceled, and the city’s once-bustling red carpets are now on pause.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hesitance
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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