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

The hesitation to purchase annuities also has been fueled by the complexity and opacity of the products themselves, which leaves many consumers unsure of what they are buying or how they are priced.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And pulling it off would demonstrate American resolve to combat terrorism, reassure allies, and deny militants strategic hesitation that they can further leverage.

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She said she had accepted the position "without hesitation".

Read more on BBC

“My only hesitation is reliability, since it will involve so much new technology,” he added.

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There is going to be hesitation to file lawsuits against the administration and engage in a public-relations war.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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