FENCE-SITTING Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

fence-sitting

noun

ˈfen(t)s-ˌsi-tiŋ

Definition of fence-sitting

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fence-sitting 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 Lower mortgage rates will spur some fence-sitting buyers into action and increase sales volumes over last year. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026 There’s merit in seeing both sides of an argument, but there’s no honor in fence-sitting forever, which is Alex’s fatal flaw. — Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 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 The endorsement is just one part of Harris' strategy to win over fence-sitting Republican voters. — Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2024 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. — David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fence-sitting

Noun

Some rabbinic readings attribute Lot’s hesitation to leave Sodom to his immoral greed and inordinate wealth.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
Her hesitation isn’t about her affection for Tewkesbury but out of fear of losing her identity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026

Definition of hesitation

Noun

Sidewalk safety, a tale of two cities There is no such hesitancy with cities collecting roadway data.

— Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
The Iranian regime’s apparent hesitancy to resume in-person talks is a significant step back from the high-level talks that took place in Switzerland earlier this month following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the countries.

— Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 June 2026

Definition of hesitancy

Noun

The stock has eased slightly since then to around $171, a normal pause after such a steep run, and the level to watch is whether that old $130 breakout zone holds if the pullback extends.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Packages flow directly from dock doors into scanning, identification and stacking—with no pauses, no handoffs and no redesigns.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of pause

Noun

Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
That hesitance in the Republican Party coexists with palpable relief that there’s a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East after months of strikes on Iran.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 June 2026

Definition of hesitance

Browse Nearby Words

fences (in)

fence-sitting

fencing

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“Fence-sitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fence-sitting. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fence-sitting

noun

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