Synonyms of hesitancy

hesitancy

noun

ˈhe-zə-tən(t)-sē 

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

• reluctance
• hesitance
• doubt
• reticence
• unwillingness
• hesitation
• skepticism
• disinclination
• suspicion
• indecision
• vacillation
• uncertainty
• irresolution
• wavering
• distrust
• faltering
• wabbling
• mistrust
• staggering
• wobbling
• incertitude
• fence-sitting
• shilly-shallying
• misgiving
• misdoubt
• uncertainness
• mistrustfulness
• distrustfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• willingness
• inclination
• conviction
• certainty
• assurance
• surety
• certitude
• sureness
• assuredness
• positiveness

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

• hesitation
• hesitance
• pause
• delay
• indecision
• vacillation
• uncertainty
• irresolution
• wavering
• deliberation
• faltering
• wabbling
• reluctance
• wobbling
• doubt
• waiting
• fence-sitting
• shilly-shallying
• shilly-shally
• procrastination
• consideration
• unwillingness
• indecisiveness
• debate
• second thought
• incertitude
• hawing
• timidity
• indetermination
• misgiving
• avoidance
• indisposition
• disinclination
• arrière-pensée
• equivocation
• faintheartedness
• shyness
• uncertainness
• timidness
• aversion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confidence
• determination
• certainty
• resolution
• firmness
• certitude
• eagerness
• readiness
• decisiveness
• sureness
• resoluteness
• alacrity

Examples of hesitancy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some Black women expressed hesitancy, concerned that the brand’s original focus and commitment to quality would be compromised. —Essence, 11 Oct. 2024

The iPhone Pro audience knows that the promise of AI is not as strong a draw as actually shipping with AI, which no doubt influences the hesitancy of consumers to buy the premium device. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

Levinson-Katz attributed the hesitancy to the lingering effects of higher rates during the summer and concerns surrounding the upcoming presidential election next month. —Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2024

Moreover, both industries must address consumer hesitancy. —Larry Gurreri, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024