Hesitance

Hesitance is the quality of being slow or uncertain in acting or speaking due to fear, doubt, or unwillingness. It reflects a wavering of the mind between different courses of action, a reluctance to proceed, or a display of timidity. This internal struggle manifests as a delay or pause before initiating a task, making a decision, or expressing an opinion. The degree of hesitance can range from a barely perceptible pause to a prolonged period of inaction. Factors contributing to hesitance include a perceived risk of failure, fear of judgment, lack of confidence, or a general aversion to change. Recognizing hesitance in oneself and others can be crucial for understanding motivations and navigating complex situations.

Hesitance meaning with examples

• Sarah felt a moment of hesitance before accepting the promotion, worried about the increased responsibility. Despite her ambition, the prospect of failure caused her to pause. Ultimately, she overcame her hesitance and embraced the challenge. However, this initial hesitance revealed her underlying anxiety about her abilities and made her wary in the first few months.
• After hearing the news, his hesitance to reply was palpable; the gravity of the situation had clearly taken hold. The silence was thick, and everyone felt a strange tension waiting for his response. His hesitation spoke volumes before he spoke and showed just how much the news had taken him by surprise. He pondered the matter before speaking.
• The witness showed visible hesitance when asked to identify the suspect in court. His eyes darted around, his voice trembled, and he took several deep breaths before answering. This hesitance led the jury to question the reliability of his testimony. Some thought it showed fear and others thought it showed deceit. Either way the hesitance raised doubts.
• Her hesitance in approaching the potential client was evident in her slow pace and fidgeting hands. The fear of rejection clouded her judgment and made her want to turn around. After taking a deep breath she started to walk towards him and introduced herself. Even though she showed hesitance she still sold the client on her amazing products and deals.
• The soldier's hesitance to pull the trigger was understandable; the ethical implications of taking a human life weighed heavily on him. The scene was chaotic, and his heart was pounding and his mind racing. He knew it was his job, and he understood the dangers. The pause cost him some valuable time, but he did what he was meant to.