hesitancy

Also hes·i·tance

[hez-i-tuhn-see]

noun

plural

hesitancies 

1. hesitation; indecision or disinclination.

Other Word Forms

• prehesitancy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hesitancy¹

From the Latin word haesitantia, dating back to 1610–20. See hesitant, -ancy

Example Sentences

It follows government warnings about low vaccine uptake, including among children, as well as an increase in vaccine hesitancy.

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And no came the answer again after 20 minutes when Rangers failed with two attempts to clear their box, a hesitancy and incompetence that saw Brandon Michele rifle a third past Butland.

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In general, studies show that vaccine hesitancy has risen in Canada since the pandemic, and the data reflects that.

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Though Sophie Ecclestone struck 23 not out as she was promoted ahead of Charlie Dean to seven, it felt like England were a batter light which could explain their hesitancy to kick on earlier.

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At first, he acknowledged, he even had a little hesitancy about participating in this week’s festivities in Atlanta.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• indecision 
• reluctance 
• skepticism