HESITANCY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

hesitancy

noun

ˈhe-zə-tən(t)-sē

Definition of hesitancy

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 hesitancy Those memories haven’t faded, and the broken trust should leave a healthy hesitancy about what comes next. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Much of the hesitancy surrounding private loans stems from interest rates. — Emily Green, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Handy said hesitancy around the measles vaccine dates back to 2000 or even earlier. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 Last week, the president issued another executive order that’s sure to fuel further hesitancy about the shot that has protected children from measles, mumps and rubella for decades. — Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitancy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitancy

Noun

But if his account of Pichai’s reluctance is accurate, an entire ocean may be one step too far for Google.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Frustration is also growing over what is seen as Haitian authorities’ reluctance to get their house in order, from tackling corruption to fixing its judiciary.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reluctance

Noun

After some hesitation, the co-anchor finally placed his crown on his head.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The slowdown in investment was put down to government hesitation over changes to Italy’s domestic tax incentive for TV shows and films.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Noun

However, Pritzker’s hesitance to deploy a comprehensive solution to data centers could be his Achilles’ heel in the primaries.

— Patrick McNamara, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of hesitance

Noun

While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
The pause lasted more than a year, straining cattle supply and contributing to record-high beef prices.

— Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of pause

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hesitance

hesitancy

hesitant

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Style

“Hesitancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitancy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hesitancy

noun

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