vacillate

verb

vac·​il·​late ˈva-sə-ˌlāt 

vacillated; vacillating

intransitive verb

1

: to waver in mind, will, or feeling : hesitate in choice of opinions or courses

2

a

: to sway through lack of equilibrium

b

: fluctuate, oscillate

vacillatingly

ˈva-sə-ˌlā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

vacillator

ˈva-sə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• balance
• dither
• falter
• halt
• hang back
• hesitate
• scruple
• shilly-shally
• stagger
• teeter
• waver
• wobble
• wabble

Choose the Right Synonym for vacillate

hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty.

hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

Examples of vacillate in a Sentence

She has vacillated on this issue.

vacillated for so long that someone else stepped in and made the decision

Recent Examples on the Web

Investors’ conviction on the move vacillated in the days leading up to the meeting. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2024

His demeanor vacillated between defensive and aggressive, which some saw as a lack of preparation. —Edward Segal, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

The conflict has witnessed a complicated web of alliances, with Turkey and Israel backing Azerbaijan, Iran backing Armenia, and Russia and the EU vacillating between both. —Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Sep. 2024

Yet the coalition vacillated over the plan as soon as it was announced. —Grant Smith, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin vacillātus, past participle of vacillāre "to be unsteady, totter, be weak or inconstant, waver," of uncertain origin

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

vacillate

verb

vac·​il·​late ˈvas-ə-ˌlāt 

vacillated; vacillating

: to hesitate between courses or opinions : be unable to choose

vacillation

ˌvas-ə-ˈlā-shən

noun

vacillator

ˈvas-ə-ˌlāt-ər 

noun