hesitation
/ˌhezɪˈteɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌhezɪˈteɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌhe-zə-ˈtā-shən/ (ame, mw)
hesitation — noun
- hesitationsingular
- hesitationsplural
1. a short pause or delay caused by not being sure what to do or say, often because
a short pause or delay caused by not being sure what to do or say, often because you feel nervous or have doubts about something
Without a moment's hesitation, Asher jumped into the river to save the struggling child.
collocation: without a moment's hesitation
Isabela paused with a slight hesitation before sharing her honest opinion with the team.
After some hesitation, Kwame agreed to lead the presentation for the first time.
The manager had no hesitation in recommending Christopher for the senior position.
A brief hesitation in Élise's voice showed she was not entirely sure of her answer.
- pause
Focuses on the break itself rather than the uncertainty causing it; can be neutral ('a pause in the conversation')
- indecision
Stronger — refers to an inability to choose rather than a brief delay; implies a longer period of uncertainty
- reluctance
Emphasises unwillingness or resistance rather than uncertainty or doubt
- uncertainty
Broader — describes a general state of doubt rather than a specific moment of delay
- certainty
The opposite mental state — being sure rather than doubtful
- confidence
The feeling that allows someone to act without pausing
文法句型
without hesitation
have no hesitation in + -ing
a + adjective + hesitation
用法筆記
Often used in the uncountable fixed expression 'without hesitation', meaning immediately and willingly. It can also be countable when referring to a single instance: 'a slight hesitation' or 'a moment's hesitation'. The pattern 'have no/little hesitation in + -ing' is common in formal or professional recommendations.