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

Example Sentences

Cricket reached her through specialised schools, where teachers encouraged her to try the game despite her hesitation.

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“Our customers tell us that they remain on the sidelines due to uncertainty and perhaps the hesitation to make larger financial commitments amid an uncertain economic environment,” Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail said Tuesday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“This all comes together in the form of hesitation to take on larger financial commitments,” such as remodels, said Home Depot Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail.

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One trip, stumble, or hesitation, and we’ll be facing the deadly consequences.

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After a moment’s hesitation, she wrote Edward Ashton’s name down beneath Pax’s, for they were father and son.

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Related Words

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