vacillate
verb (used without object)
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
have vacillated
-
present perfectof vacillate.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Both sides have vacillated between tough talk and de-escalation in recent days, but the rhetoric took a harder turn on Tuesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2025
Relations between Pakistan and the United States have vacillated between strong and tenuous for more than a generation.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2022
Over the years, retailers have vacillated between taking a hard line on thieves and unruly customers and letting them go.
From New York Times ● Jun. 28, 2022
But there are several parts of the state where voters have vacillated between the two parties in recent elections, notably in the one-time conservative bastion of Orange County.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2022
An attempt will be made to represent that my opinions have vacillated.
From Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2) by George Jacob Holyoake
