Synonyms

hesitancy

American

[hez-i-tuhn-see] / ˈhɛz ɪ tən si /

Also hesitance

noun

plural

hesitancies

hesitation; indecision or disinclination.

Other Word Forms

prehesitancy noun

Etymology

Origin of hesitancy

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This hesitancy is a counterpoint to the flood of money going into 529s.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even though consumer confidence edged up overall, details show "growing concern about rising prices, especially gas prices, and a hesitancy to make big purchases," Long said.

From Barron's

"It's likely that there will be a bit more hesitancy and that passengers will book their flights less far in advance," a phenomenon already seen during the Covid pandemic, Chiambaretto said.

From Barron's

“Their hesitancy to cut rates, I think, is actually ... quite a mark against them,” he said on CNBC.

From Los Angeles Times

Bailey chalks this hesitancy up to education, but Motta says it’s not just that, noting that many pet parents today are well-read.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023