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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hesitance
Sensing hesitance as well as incompetence, coaches and players alike tried to sway the flailing fill-ins at every turn.
—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.
—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Management’s choice to uphold full-year guidance for 5% revenue growth and $1 billion in additional free cash flow, even after the positive performance, indicates internal hesitance regarding the sustainability of hardware.
—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2026
The hesitance that some people expressed was not based on a fear of exposure to the coronavirus.
—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.
—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Management’s choice to uphold full-year guidance for 5% revenue growth and $1 billion in additional free cash flow, even after the positive performance, indicates internal hesitance regarding the sustainability of hardware.
—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2026
The hesitance that some people expressed was not based on a fear of exposure to the coronavirus.
—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hesitance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitance
Noun
-
Bill Clinton’s reluctance to commit ground troops in areas of distress.
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The outlet noted that concerns about travel restrictions, including those from the US, and the impact on the local tourism industry may be driving the country’s reluctance to share more information.
Noun
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Some rabbinic readings attribute Lot’s hesitation to leave Sodom to his immoral greed and inordinate wealth.
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Her hesitation isn’t about her affection for Tewkesbury but out of fear of losing her identity.
Noun
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Sidewalk safety, a tale of two cities There is no such hesitancy with cities collecting roadway data.
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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.
Noun
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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.
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Packages flow directly from dock doors into scanning, identification and stacking—with no pauses, no handoffs and no redesigns.
Cite this Entry
“Hesitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitance. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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