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
Contrasting success stories with the vacillations of the current administration will project Trump as a global colossus.
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Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2024
This administration’s vacillation in trying to dictate Israeli military options, including withholding weapons, only prolongs it.
—Chris Eddy, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2024
Espinosa’s Billy Jay is also a huge asset: His vacillation between cornfed, charming-despite-yourself naïveté and furtive, ambitious, even possibly sinister unknowability is—perhaps a little ironically—the play’s most compelling character arc.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 8 May 2024
Indian vacillation will convince U.S. officials that despite their best efforts, New Delhi is either incapable of mustering the requisite political will to build a long-term security partnership with Washington or reluctant to do so.
—Sumit Ganguly, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for vacillation 
Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2024
This administration’s vacillation in trying to dictate Israeli military options, including withholding weapons, only prolongs it.
—Chris Eddy, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2024
Espinosa’s Billy Jay is also a huge asset: His vacillation between cornfed, charming-despite-yourself naïveté and furtive, ambitious, even possibly sinister unknowability is—perhaps a little ironically—the play’s most compelling character arc.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 8 May 2024
Indian vacillation will convince U.S. officials that despite their best efforts, New Delhi is either incapable of mustering the requisite political will to build a long-term security partnership with Washington or reluctant to do so.
—Sumit Ganguly, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for vacillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillation
Noun
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This rare moment of hesitation from a man who is usually so sure-footed in the recording studio underscores the paradox of Edgar Barrera: a towering figure in Latin music who is most often behind the scenes.Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
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Even after the invasion, the Biden administration’s assistance to Ukraine was beset by hesitation, needless restrictions, and endless deliberation.Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Even following such an uplifting and dominant win, Newcastle’s baffling, up-and-down campaign demands such hesitancy.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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While understandable, this hesitancy can hinder innovative solutions to the sector's challenges.Seth Darling, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
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This hesitance could jeopardize the continent's climate goals and its automotive sector, which is heavily reliant on transitioning to EVs.Robert Rapier, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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As the war in Ukraine escalated and the enmity between Moscow and its Western rivals deepened, Lukashenko's apparent hesitance to fully commit to the conflict seems to have bought him some level of freedom from retaliation.David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This time of year offers a natural pause to evaluate the past and consider the future.Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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Drone activity over the weekend forced a pause on air traffic in at least two states.Emma Bowman, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near vacillation
Cite this Entry
“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillation. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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