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vacillation

[ vas-uh-ley-shuh n ]

/ ˌvæs əˈleɪ ʃən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR vacillation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of vacillating.

a state of indecision or irresolution.

unsteady movement; fluctuation.

Words nearby vacillation

vachel, vacherin, vacillant, vacillate, vacillating, vacillation, vacillatory, vacterl syndrome, vacua, vacuity, vacuolate

Origin of vacillation

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

OTHER WORDS FROM vacillation

non·vac·il·la·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vacillation

He also could blame the downturn on the vacillation of authorities—and politics.
Will Bangkok's Floods Swamp the Government?|Lennox Samuels|October 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
At the Pentagon, which bears the brunt of much of this hesitation and vacillation, the mood is one of not-so-quiet desperation.
Obama's Middle East Head Spin|Christopher Dickey, John Barry|April 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Paul Krugman of The New York Times is convinced that the president's weakness and vacillation are to blame.
Be More Like Teddy|Reihan Salam|August 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Vacillation and inconsistency are as incompatible with successful diplomacy as they are with the national dignity.
Speeches of Benjamin Harrison|Benjamin Harrison

Between bouts with prelates, Luther sent a few thunderbolts at Erasmus, accusing him of vacillation and cowardice.
Little Journeys To The Homes Of Great Teachers|Elbert Hubbard
The use of indefinite and weakening expressions leads to suspicion of vacillation and indecision.
Sound Military Decision|U.s. Naval War College
Blank cartridges and vacillation stimulate a half-formed purpose into action.
Equatorial America|Maturin M. Ballou
The Teuton system may have shortcomings but hesitation and vacillation cannot be numbered among them.
Sixteen Months in Four German Prisons|Henry Charles Mahoney

The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...