hesitation

noun

ˌhe-zə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce hesitation (audio)
Definition of hesitationnext
as in hesitancy
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action one moment's hesitation on my part, and the elusive butterfly was lost to me forever

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hesitation When Miller unleashed another slider, Suzuki showed no hesitation. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026 Around here, anticipation beats hesitation every single time. — John Laghezza, New York Times, 26 June 2026 At first, the Jell-O was also a way to express vulnerability, indecision and hesitation. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 June 2026 Supergirl killing Krem without much buildup, or hesitation, despite her advice to Ruthye, could have been framed as the heroine succumbing to her impulses, or accepting some dark truth about her own nature. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hesitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hesitation
  1. hesitancy
  2. hesitance
  3. pause
  4. delay
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
  • 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
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
  • But the heat has led to cancellations and delays in several states.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of delay

Browse Nearby Words

hesitatingly
hesitation
heterodox
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Cite this Entry

“Hesitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hesitation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hesitation

Nglish: Translation of hesitation for Spanish Speakers

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