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?

How to say hesitation in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use hesitation in a sentence?

1. Interim Capt. Angelo Mollo:

   Our District The Troopers were able to turn a potentially bad situation into a thankful ending for at least one family this Thanksgiving holiday, i am extremely proud of our officers who acted without hesitation in this life saving transport.

2. Boris Johnson:

   If the data goes the wrong way, if the alert level begins to rise, we will have no hesitation in putting on the brakes and delaying or reintroducing measures locally, regionally, or nationally, if everyone stays alert and follows the rules, we can control the virus, keep the rate of infection down and keep the number of infections down.

3. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov:

   If I can advise President Biden, I would like him to articulate to Vladimir Putin of Russia that no red lines from the Kremlin side should be here. The red line is here in Ukraine and the civilized world will react without hesitation, the idea of not provoking Russia will not work.

4. Cindy Frederick:

   He was very kind, very patient and very loving, there was no hesitation – that was impressive in itself. I’m sure [police officers] don’t get long to eat.

5. Junichi Makino:

   The BOJ has been saying that underyling trend inflation is improving. If so, it doesn't need to ease, but if there's a risk the price trend could change in the future, the BOJ will probably ease pre-emptively without hesitation.