dubitation
Definition
Dubitation (noun): The state or act of hesitating, doubting, or being uncertain; a feeling of doubt or hesitation.
Usage Examples
- (His doubt and hesitation were visible.)
- (She voiced uncertainty regarding the plan's practicality.)
- (His doubt prompted further investigation.)
Advanced Usage
"with dubitation": in a hesitant or doubtful manner.
- He spoke with dubitation, unsure of his own conclusions. (He spoke hesitantly due to uncertainty.)
"without dubitation": without hesitation or doubt.
- She accepted the challenge without dubitation. (She accepted immediately and confidently.)
Variants and Related Words
Dubitate (verb): to doubt or hesitate.
- He continued to dubitate over the decision. (He kept hesitating about the choice.)
Dubitative (adjective): expressing doubt or hesitation.
- Her dubitative tone suggested she was not convinced. (Her tone showed uncertainty.)
Dubiously (adverb): in a doubtful manner (related, though not direct variant).
- He looked dubiously at the offer. (He looked at it with suspicion.)
Synonyms
- Hesitation: a pause or delay due to uncertainty.
- Uncertainty: a state of being unsure.
- Skepticism: a questioning or doubting attitude.
- Indecision: inability to make a decision.
Related Idioms
- "In a state of dubitation": being in a condition of doubt.
- The committee remained in a state of dubitation about the proposal. (They were still uncertain.)
Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "dubitation" is a noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs; however, the verb "dubitate" is rare and not used in phrasal constructions. The concept is often expressed via "waver" or "hesitate.")