vacillation
Americannoun
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an act or instance of vacillating. vacillating.
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a state of indecision or irresolution.
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unsteady movement; fluctuation.
Other Word Forms
- nonvacillation noun
Etymology
Origin of vacillation
1350–1400; Middle English vacillacion < Latin vacillātiōn- (stem of vacillātiō ) a swaying. See vacillate, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But it’s D’Angelo’s soaring vocals that transmute the molten instrumental throbbing into a transcendent buzz, achieved through multi-track vocal layers and a vacillation between climactic reverb roars and serene breaks.
From Salon • Oct. 19, 2025
It just captures this vacillation of the human experience so perfectly for me — like, I’m dancing, I’m driving in the dark.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2024
As Dr. Villatte noted, it’s the vacillation without a decision that’s the real anxiety maker.
From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2023
But Kim said his self-defence force "can not be bartered nor be bought with anything" and will be held firm without the slightest vacillation despite harsh trials and difficulties.
From Reuters • Mar. 27, 2022
The vacillation of Wenceslas delayed decision, but in January, 1409, he signed the decree which ordered the change.
From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
