Hesitation

Hesitation refers to a temporary pause or delay in action, speech, or thought, typically resulting from uncertainty, doubt, or reluctance. It reflects an internal conflict where a person is weighing options, considering consequences, or experiencing a lack of confidence. This can manifest as a physical pause, a stammer, or a shift in body language. It is often caused by fear of making a mistake, social awkwardness, or not being fully prepared for the task at hand. The duration of hesitation varies, ranging from a fleeting moment to a prolonged period of indecision. It can also show uncertainty, a delay, or some level of resistance.

Hesitation meaning with examples

• When asked to sing on stage, Sarah experienced a moment of hesitation. She took a deep breath, battling her stage fright before beginning the song, her reluctance to perform was evident in her nervous fidgeting. Her hesitation was finally broken when the band gave her a subtle cue which prompted her to begin.
• The climber paused in hesitation before attempting the difficult crux. He studied the rock face carefully, searching for the best handholds. The challenging nature of the climb caused him to assess the situation, showing he wasn't completely sure of the upcoming move, his confidence had to be found to succeed.
• Despite knowing the correct answer, the student showed hesitation before raising their hand. They weren't completely confident, worried about being wrong, and wanted time to properly formulate their thoughts. The moment of hesitation before providing the correct answer reflected the pressure of the quiz.
• The detective noticed a slight hesitation in the suspect's response during the interview. It was a subtle indication of their dishonesty, the subtle pause revealed a lack of transparency. It was a clue that revealed a critical piece of information during the questioning.
• After promising to help, his initial hesitation made it clear he wasn't looking forward to his task. The difficulty of completing the job was evident, showing he had a reluctance to undertake the task. His hesitation revealed a lack of preparedness for what awaited him.