fence-sitting

noun

ˈfen(t)s-ˌsi-tiŋ How to pronounce fence-sitting (audio)
Definition of fence-sittingnext
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action in Congress there was a lot of fence-sitting, with many representatives waiting to see which way the political wind was blowing

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fence-sitting Keeping four quarterbacks could be seen as another fence-sitting move. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Lower mortgage rates will spur some fence-sitting buyers into action and increase sales volumes over last year. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026 There’s merit in seeing both sides of an argument, but there’s no honor in fence-sitting forever, which is Alex’s fatal flaw. — Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 The outcome of this exceptionally tight presidential race may turn on whether Harris, in these final days of the campaign, can convince enough fence-sitting voters to embrace that message. — David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024 After the meeting, three delegates who had been fence-sitting for months sought me out for the secret handshake. — Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024 The endorsement is just one part of Harris' strategy to win over fence-sitting Republican voters. — Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2024 With the world watching, President Biden delivered a press conference performance strong enough to buy time from fence-sitting Democrats — but wobbly enough to keep the mutiny armed and dangerous. — Zachary Basu, Axios, 12 July 2024 In an impassioned speech – sketched out on little notecards, no less – Rhys had managed to sway enough of the fence-sitting members, and the bylaws had been amended. — Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fence-sitting
  1. hesitation
  2. hesitancy
  3. pause
  4. hesitance
Noun
  • Someone may be ready to build with you, but hesitation, mixed signals, or too many moving pieces could slow the process down.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But the full game tape shows those are few and far between — his hesitation and questionable decisions make the lowlights a near-constant.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitation
Noun
  • Handy said hesitancy around the measles vaccine dates back to 2000 or even earlier.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Martone competes well, showing no hesitancy to engage physically or create at the net.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitancy
Noun
  • The Appalachian Trail Conservancy defines a thru-hike as completing all of the trail’s sections in any order within a year, allowing for pauses.
    — Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This summer's pause in data reporting for Somalia came at a particularly precarious time.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
  • That hesitance in the Republican Party coexists with palpable relief that there’s a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East after months of strikes on Iran.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Definition of hesitance

Browse Nearby Words

fences (in)
fence-sitting
fencing
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Cite this Entry

“Fence-sitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fence-sitting. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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