hesitation

[hez-i-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of hesitating; a delay due to uncertainty of mind or fear.

   His hesitation cost him the championship.

2. a state of doubt or uncertainty.

   Synonyms: vacillation, irresolution, indecision, hesitancy

3. a halting or faltering in speech.

   Synonyms: stammer

Other Word Forms

• prehesitation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hesitation¹

First recorded in 1615–25, hesitation is from the Latin word haesitātiōn- (stem of haesitātiō ). See hesitate, -ion

Related Words

• doubt 
• equivocation 
• hesitancy 
• indecision 
• misgiving 
• mistrust 
• pause 
• procrastination 
• qualm 
• reluctance 
• skepticism 
• unwillingness www.thesaurus.com
• vacillation