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Hesitance - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Hesitance is the reluctance or delay in acting or making a decision, often due to uncertainty or doubt. It implies a pause caused by caution or indecision.

hesitance

/ˈhɛzɪtəns/ /ˈhɛzɪtəns/

Definition:

Reluctance or delay in acting or speaking due to uncertainty or indecision.

Synonyms:

hesitation, reluctance, indecision, doubt, uncertainty

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

confidence, decisiveness, eagerness

Common Collocations:

show hesitance, overcome hesitance, initial hesitance, slight hesitance, voice hesitance

Derivatives:

hesitant, hesitantly, hesitate

Usage Tips:

Use "hesitance" to describe a pause caused by doubt or reluctance in actions or speech.

Common Phrases:

without hesitance, a moment of hesitance, full of hesitance

Etymology:

From Latin "haesitantia," meaning stammering or hesitation, derived from "haesitare" (to hesitate).

Examples:

  • 1. She showed slight hesitance before answering the question.
  • 2. His hesitance cost him the opportunity to speak first.
  • 3. Overcoming her initial hesitance, she joined the discussion confidently.
  • 4. The team noticed his hesitance during the decision-making process.

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