SKIP TO CONTENT

vacillate

/ˈvæsəˌleɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: vacillating; vacillated; vacillates

Vacillate means to waver back and forth, unable to decide. You might vacillate between ordering waffles and pancakes at your favorite diner — it’s hard to pick just one when both are so tasty!

Something that vacillates sways or fluctuates, often quite unsteadily. So use this verb to describe the staggering motions of a person who has had too much to drink, as well as the opinions of someone who can’t make up her mind. Synonyms include vibrate, hesitate, and waver. A wise Ethiopian proverb advises, "Do not vacillate or you will be left in between doing something, having something, and being nothing.”

Definitions of vacillate
  1. verb
    be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
    synonyms: hover, oscillate, vibrate
    see moresee less
    types:
    shilly-shally, shillyshally
    hesitate or be unable to decide; go back and forth on
    type of:
    hesitate, waffle, waver
    pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
  2. verb
    move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
    “the line on the monitor vacillated
    synonyms: fluctuate, waver
    fluctuate
    cause to fluctuate or move in a wavelike pattern
    see moresee less
    type of:
    swing
    alternate dramatically between high and low values
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘vacillate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family