hesitation

American  

[hez-i-tey-shuhn] / ˌhɛz ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

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

Etymology

Origin of hesitation

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

Example Sentences

Concerns about those losses slowed the deal talks and contributed to hesitation from JPMorgan and other banks that looked at pursuing a deal, The Wall Street Journal earlier reported.

From The Wall Street Journal

In real fires, with darkness, smoke, people in various states of injury impeding one another, falls on stairs, counterflows and hesitation, theoretical egress capacities inferred from other evacuations break down.

From The Wall Street Journal

After his initial hesitation, a summer spent taking computing architecture courses at University of California, Berkeley convinced him.

From The Wall Street Journal

As a former career waiter, I say without hesitation that I would not want to go to war with a battalion of conscripted foodies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over time, it became clear this hesitation wasn’t personal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• doubt
• equivocation
• hesitancy
• indecision
• misgiving
• mistrust
• pause
• procrastination
• qualm
• reluctance
• skepticism
• unwillingness
• vacillation