hesitation
Americannoun
-
the act of hesitating; a delay due to uncertainty of mind or fear.
His hesitation cost him the championship.
-
a state of doubt or uncertainty.
- Synonyms:
- vacillation, irresolution, indecision, hesitancy
-
a halting or faltering in speech.
- Synonyms:
- stammer
Other Word Forms
- prehesitation noun
Etymology
Origin of hesitation
First recorded in 1615–25, hesitation is from the Latin word haesitātiōn- (stem of haesitātiō ). See hesitate, -ion
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.
Their willingness to share didn't mean there weren't moments of hesitation about where, if anywhere, the line should be drawn.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
These shortcuts make impulse buying “almost effortless,” Florida-based VyStar Credit Union says, and removing the ease of a one-tap purchase forces a moment of hesitation that could save your budget.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
Less than two minutes later, the emergency vehicle en route to United 2384 requests permission to cross the same runway, via taxiway D. After a slight hesitation, the controller gives the green light.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
When associate head coach BJ Das approached Matthews to tell her to be ready, the freshman stepped up without hesitation, a skill she worked on during elite competition.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026
“You know,” Taran began, with embarrassed hesitation, “that spiderweb...”
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
