noun

hesitancy

HEZ-ih-tun-see/ˈhezɪtənsi/

Uncertainty or reluctance about acting or deciding.

Her hesitancy shows as she stops just short of knocking.

A woman pauses before knocking on a closed door, her raised knuckles stopping just short of the wood while her other hand lightly restrains her wrist.

Etymology

Latin haesitantia described stammering, a faltering in speech. Its underlying verb also meant being undecided, connecting difficulty getting words out with uncertainty or reluctance before speaking or acting.

In context

Libertarianism.org98:00

the hesitancy of entrepreneurs to invest when they don't know the intentions of their competitors

Revising Traditional Notions of Competition and Monopoly - The Turney Collection

More examples

His hesitancy to sign the contract is understandable.
I sense some hesitancy about moving to a new city.
Clear answers help ease her hesitancy about joining the team.

Forms

hesitancy · hesitancies

hesitant adjective — Unsure or reluctant to take action.

hesitate verb — To pause or delay because of uncertainty.

Similar words

reluctance: Suggests unwillingness more strongly than uncertainty about what to do.
indecision: Focuses on difficulty choosing rather than reluctance to act.
uncertainty: Emphasizes lack of confidence or knowledge, not necessarily delayed action.