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Meaning of vacillate
To swing indecisively from one opinion or course of action to another.
Etymology of vacillate
The word "vacillate" originated from the Latin word "vacillare," which means "to sway" or "to waver."
The Latin word is derived from "vacillatus," the past participle of "vacillare," which is also related to "vacillus," meaning "unsteady" or "weak."
The word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the act of hesitating or wavering in one's decisions or actions.
Synonyms
hesitate
waver
falter
oscillate
fluctuate
vacillate
swing
alternate
change
vary
modify
alter
shift
switch
seesaw
teeter
tremble
quake
quiver
shudder
tremor
doubt
question
ponder
deliberate
consider
weigh
balance
hesitate
pause
stop
delay
procrastinate
dawdle
linger
loiter
tarry
hover
linger
fluctuate
reel
stagger
stumble
trip
slip
slide
blunder
blundering
wavering
indecisive
irresolute
uncertain
unsure
undecided
ambivalent
equivocal
ambiguous
vague
indistinct
unclear
puzzling
perplexing
baffling
enigmatic
mysterious
cryptic
obscure
abstruse
recondite
arcane
enshrined
veiled
shrouded
hidden
concealed
cloaked
masked
disguised
camouflaged
Definitions
- To hesitate or waver in one's decisions or actions, often due to lack of conviction or uncertainty.
- To oscillate or fluctuate between different opinions, feelings, or loyalties.
- To be indecisive or irresolute, often resulting in a lack of progress or action.
Usage Examples
- The committee vacillated over the decision to invest in the new project, citing concerns about the market and financial risks.
- She vacillated between accepting the job offer and pursuing further education, unsure of which path to take.
- The government vacillated in its response to the crisis, leading to widespread criticism and frustration.
Antonyms
decide
resolve
determine
choose
select
pick
settle
conclude
finalize
confirm
affirm
assert
declare
state
pronounce
decree
dictate
command
order
direct
instruct
guide
lead
dictate
govern
rule
dominate
control
master
dominate
overpower
overwhelm
conquer
vanquish
defeat
triumph
succeed
accomplish
achieve
attain
gain
acquire
obtain
get
secure
clinch
grasp
seize
capture
take
claim
possess
own
hold
keep
retain
maintain
uphold
support
sustain
endure
persist
persevere
continue
proceed
progress
advance
move
go
march
stride
step
walk
run
rush
hurry
hasten
speed
accelerate
expedite
facilitate
ease
simplify
clarify
explain
expound
elaborate
detail
describe
recount
narrate
recite
relate
report
announce
proclaim
broadcast
publicize
advertise
promote
endorse
recommend
suggest
propose
advise
counsel
guide
lead
direct
instruct