MEANING
A pause, delay, or reluctance before speaking or acting because of uncertainty.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- moment’s hesitation
- without hesitation
- hesitation before answering
On the page
A moment’s hesitation preceded her answer.
He took the safe route without hesitation.
She noticed the hesitation but could not tell what caused it.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
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Word forms
- Base
- hesitation
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Usage notes
Primary category: fear. Forms: Singular hesitation; plural hesitations. Often a mass noun for the general state. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.
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