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Definition of hesitance

hesitance

/ˈhɛz.ɪ.təns/
hes · i · tance
Adverb:hesitantly
•
Plural:hesitances
•
Adjective:hesitant
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hesitance Lexical Profile

hesitance Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or state of being reluctant, doubtful, or slow in acting or speaking; a pause or delay caused by uncertainty.

Example

"The candidate's brief hesitance before answering the question suggested he was unsure of the exact statistics."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hesitance
Antonyms
View all antonyms for hesitance

• Nearby Words

hers
herself
hertz
hesitance
hesitancy
hesitant
hesitantly

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin verb 'haesitare' (to stick fast, stammer, or be undecided), a frequentative form of 'haerere' (to stick, cling, or adhere).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hesitance. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hesitance
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