Synonyms for hesitation
ˌhɛz ɪˈteɪ ʃənhes·i·ta·tion

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.5 / 2 votes

1. hesitationnoun

   Doubt is a lack of conviction that may refer either to matters of belief or to matters of practise. As regards belief, while doubt is lack of conviction, disbelief is conviction, to the contrary; unbelief refers to a settled state of mind, generally accompanied with opposition of heart. Perplexity is active and painful; doubt may be quiescent. Perplexity presses toward a solution; doubt may be content to linger unresolved. Any improbable statement awakens incredulity. In theological usage unbelief and skepticism have a condemnatory force, as implying wilful rejection of manifest truth. As regards practical matters, uncertainty applies to the unknown or undecided; doubt implies some negative evidence. Suspense regards the future, and is eager and anxious; uncertainty may relate to any period, and be quite indifferent. Misgiving is ordinarily in regard to the outcome of something already done or decided; hesitation, indecision, and irresolution have reference to something that remains to be decided or done, and are due oftener to infirmity of will than to lack of knowledge. Distrust and suspicion apply especially to the motives, character, etc., of others, and are more decidedly adverse than doubt. Scruple relates to matters of conscience and duty.

   Synonyms:
   disbelief, distrust, doubt, doubt, hesitancy, incredulity, indecision, irresolution, misgiving, perplexity, question, scruple, skepticism, suspense, suspicion, unbelief, uncertainty

   Antonyms:
   assurance, belief, certainty, confidence, conviction, decision, determination, persuasion, resolution, resolve

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. hesitation, vacillation, waveringnoun

   indecision in speech or action

   Synonyms:
   disinclination, falter, reluctance, fluctuation, wavering, indisposition, swinging, swing, faltering, vacillation, waver, hesitancy

2. reluctance, hesitancy, hesitation, disinclination, indispositionnoun

   a certain degree of unwillingness

   "a reluctance to commit himself"; "his hesitancy revealed his basic indisposition"; "after some hesitation he agreed"

   Synonyms:
   disinclination, hesitance, reluctance, falter, wavering, indisposition, faltering, vacillation, waver, hesitancy

3. hesitation, waver, falter, falteringnoun

   the act of pausing uncertainly

   "there was a hesitation in his speech"

   Synonyms:
   disinclination, falter, reluctance, flicker, wavering, indisposition, flutter, faltering, vacillation, waver, hesitancy

Matched Categories

1. • Indecision
   • Pause
   • Unwillingness

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. hesitationnoun

   Synonyms:
   uncertainly, doubt, suspense, hesitancy, vacillation

2. hesitationnoun

   Synonyms:
   faltering, stammering, difficulty of utterance

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hesitationnoun

   Synonyms:
   indecision, doubt, vacillation, reluctance, wavering

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "hesitation":

   hesitancy, reluctance, vacillation, doubt, indecision, procrastination, reticence, indecisiveness, timidity

How to pronounce hesitation?

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use hesitation in a sentence?

1. Japan Deputy Governor Masayoshi Amamiya:

   The BOJ will closely watch the impact of COVID-19 (on the economy) for the time being and take additional easing steps without hesitation as needed, we also plan to extend as needed the deadline for our programmes.

2. William Temple:

   We shall say without hesitation that the atheist who is moved by love is moved by the Spirit of God; an atheist who lives by love is saved by his faith in the God whose existence (under that name) he denies.

3. The UCI:

   We understand that ARD's hesitation with cycling was related to the damaged reputation of our sport, we believe that today's decision is partly due to the UCI's reinvigorated approach to anti-doping as highlighted by the new measures established in our anti-doping rules in force since January 1, 2015.

4. Jason Davis:

   We know what our intentions are – to help protect the community and the student body, but when public health starts investigating, it can be intimidating for some people to have a government agent with a clipboard asking questions about their lives, that hesitation puts a crimp in our process, but it’s understandable.

5. The American:

   He is not directing me as much as we are learning. It is my job to learn him first and I am still learning. Then to figure out what is it that keeps you from a feeling in full flight and problem-solve, that requires trust -- trust that I am going to learn him first and trust from him that he is going to buy into it and believe it and you remove all the hesitation that happens in a tennis court that keep someone from executing at their highest level.