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. Donald Trump:

   Right from the beginning, there's no hesitation, one of the great memories of all time.

2. Charles Krauthammer:

   Ultimately, everyone knows, he's going to have to endorse, but I think he played it well by saying, after his initial hesitation, ‘I'm not ready, I need to talk about this,’ saying he's willing to step down if Trump asks him to step down as chairman of the convention.

3. Rachel Botkin:

   This kind of repeated exposure is a good way to deal with residual fear and hesitation, understand that this has been a time of psychological trauma for many people, and it's impacted the way we behave.

4. Ahmed Tibi:

   It is a blatant racist comment... and many Israelis are angry at Smotrich for holding the mirror of racism in front of them, as a doctor, if Smotrich or his wife needed medical help from me, I would give it without hesitation. I have treated many racists in the past.

5. Marvin Loh:

   We are of the thinking that the strong economic gains make a September hike a likely event, without an acceleration of wage growth, a fourth hike at the end of the year is a more difficult call and futures shows that hesitation, placing just 50 percent odds on that event.