vacillation

[ vas-uh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of vacillating. vacillating.
2. a state of indecision or irresolution.
3. unsteady movement; fluctuation.

Other Words From

• nonvac·il·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacillation¹

1350–1400; Middle English vacillacion < Latin vacillātiōn- (stem of vacillātiō ) a swaying. See vacillate, -ion

Example Sentences

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

Gray whales seem to have gone through these more dramatic vacillations, enduring three different periods of major mortalities and bouncing back before the most recent five-year event.

From Los Angeles Times

The vice president had a reputation for being President Nixon’s attack dog and skewering political opponents as “nattering nabobs of negativism,” “vicars of vacillation” and “pusillanimous pussyfooters.”

From Seattle Times

Once I decided to quit, I acted, with no endless vacillation.

From New York Times

Perhaps Russian President Vladimir Putin, in deciding to launch the invasion, thought Biden’s age meant his response would be one of weakness or vacillation.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• hesitation