hesitancies
Moments of wavering
Hesitancies are moments or instances of hesitation—pauses, doubts, or reluctances before acting or speaking.
The word emphasizes multiple separate occurrences rather than a general state: Her hesitancies during the interview suggested she was hiding something.
It appears less frequently than the singular hesitancy or the more common hesitation.
Inability to choose
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment
dithering · shilly-shallying · fence-sitting · waffling · tentativeness · unsureness · indecisiveness · oscillation
Disposition toward doubt
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- warinessCautious distrust
suspicion · distrust · disbelief · incredulity · dubiousness · questioning · cynicism · scrutiny
Lack of desire
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- unwillingnessDisinclination to act
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
- demurralFormal expression of objection
foot-dragging · holdback · aversion · diffidence · timidity · trepidation · caution · wariness
Intentional delay tactics
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
- haltingMarked by hesitation
stumbling · stammering · stuttering · fumbling · lag · delay · holding back · breaking off
vacillation
Inability to choose
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
equivocation · dithering · shilly-shallying · fence-sitting · waffling · tentativeness · unsureness · indecisiveness · oscillation · faltering
skepticism
Disposition toward doubt
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- qualmsMoral reservations or unease
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
wariness · suspicion · distrust · disbelief · incredulity · dubiousness · questioning · cynicism · scrutiny · apprehension
disinclination
Lack of desire
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- unwillingnessDisinclination to act
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
demurral · foot-dragging · holdback · aversion · diffidence · timidity · trepidation · caution · wariness · dragging feet
stalling
Intentional delay tactics
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
halting · stumbling · stammering · stuttering · fumbling · lag · delay · holding back · breaking off · trailing off
hesitanciesdecisiveness
Ability to choose firmly
resolutions · decisions · determinations · certainties · snap judgments
hesitanciesboldness
Fearless readiness to act
self-assurance · fearlessness · confidences · confidence · assurance
hesitanciescommitments
Promises requiring follow-through
dedications · pledges · devotions · enthusiasms · resolves
hesitant, hesitate, hesitation, hesitating, hesitancy, hesitated, hesitates, hesitations, unhesitating