vacillate

[ vas-uh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, vac·il·lat·ed, vac·il·lat·ing.

1. to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute:

   His tendency to vacillate makes him a poor leader.

   Synonyms: hesitate

2. to sway unsteadily; waver; totter; stagger.

   Synonyms: reel

3. to oscillate or fluctuate.

vacillate

/ ˈvæsɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. to fluctuate in one's opinions; be indecisive
2. to sway from side to side physically; totter or waver

Derived Forms

• ˌvacilˈlation, noun
• ˈvacilˌlator, noun

Other Words From

• vac·il·la·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacillate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin vacillātus (past participle of vacillāre “to sway to and fro”); -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacillate¹

C16: from Latin vacillāre to sway, of obscure origin

Synonym Study

See waver ¹.

Example Sentences

What it tells us: While Trump often signals his own hawkish economic views on China, he has also vacillated - which could spark tensions with his top foreign policy team.

From BBC

Peake’s staid and knowing portrayal stands in contrast and complement to that of Petticrew, whose resolute manner vacillates between a flinty swagger and true anguish.

From Salon

Anyone who dreaded another four years of Trump vacillated from hopelessness to euphoria to quiet dread.

From Salon

You have to see it so many times because you have to vacillate between watching the show and watching the audience.

From Los Angeles Times

The change: Trump has vacillated on abortion for decades, declaring himself “very pro-choice” as recently as 1999.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dither
• fluctuate
• oscillate
• seesaw
• waffle
• waver