as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
the president was soundly criticized for his vacillation before responding to the crisis
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Recent Examples of vacillation
Over time, however, whatever succor Trump provides to the economy by saying that the war is nearly over is likely to be canceled out by his administration’s vacillation.
—
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
President Trump’s vacillation— seeming a lot like appeasement— encourages Putin’s intransigence.
—U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Your corrupt presidency of graft, vengeance and ceaseless vacillation between loudly complaining and loudly boasting has become like a jackhammer outside our collective window every day since your inauguration.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Continued vacillation by all sides deepens the chasm of distrust among the signatories.
—Bisa Williams, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
President Trump’s vacillation— seeming a lot like appeasement— encourages Putin’s intransigence.
—U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Your corrupt presidency of graft, vengeance and ceaseless vacillation between loudly complaining and loudly boasting has become like a jackhammer outside our collective window every day since your inauguration.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Continued vacillation by all sides deepens the chasm of distrust among the signatories.
—Bisa Williams, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillation
Noun
-
Jake became Sai without hesitation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Nerves, doubt, and hesitation are normal and expected at this point in the process.—
Jonathan Carone,
Parents,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Stepping straight into playoff hockey for the first time in his NHL career, Coghlan has played on instinct, with a surprising lack of hesitancy.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Now on the Democratic side, at least when this began, there was hesitancy from Democrats, even about Newsom’s idea of fighting fire with fire.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Others, like Choi, believe that knowledge gaps are to blame for donor hesitance to get involved.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
25 May 2026
-
After a pause for the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, social hesitance was still evident and masks were incorporated into some of the night's designs.—
Luis Giraldo,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Taiwanese officials say they were not alerted to any potential pauses, according to The Associated Press.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
-
Before hitting the pause button, Joanne and Noah host their first dinner party.—
Hugh Hart,
IndieWire,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillation. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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