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

President Donald Trump's nomination of RFK Jr. was immediately met with criticism from both political parties and his own family members due to the environmentalist's vacillating and dangerous theories about public health and promotion of conspiracy theories. —Nicole Briese, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

My daughter vacillated between stupefied awe at our surroundings and moments of sublime meltdown. —Leslie Jamison, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025

Their approach vacillates between resentful disdain or pandering sycophancy, both of which continually backfire on them. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025

Guys who are paid to tackle bailed, vacillated, waited for a teammate to get there first. —Tim Graham, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

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