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 Word Forms

• nonvacillation 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

The chorus’s wild vacillations—celebrating Amina, then punishing her and then trying to clear her name—fit with their efforts to bring her to heel.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lois’ reticence about him mirrors our own vacillation with the DC Universe’s new direction: We need to see something more from this guy before we commit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Given the president's apparent public vacillation on many topics, it just isn't clear that he'll stay with this problem or that he'll be willing and able to act effectively," he said.

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"Applying Loper Bright, means we can end the FCC's vacillations," the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals said.

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It just captures this vacillation of the human experience so perfectly for me — like, I’m dancing, I’m driving in the dark.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hesitation