vacillation

[ vas-uh-ley-shuh n ]

/ ˌvæs əˈleɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vacillation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of vacillating.

a state of indecision or irresolution.

unsteady movement; fluctuation.

Nearby words

Origin of vacillation

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

Related formsnon·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

Word Origin and History for vacillation

vacillation

c.1400, from Latin vacillationem (nominative vacillatio) "a reeling, wavering," noun of action from past participle stem of vacillare "sway to and fro." Originally in reference to opinion or conduct; literal sense is recorded from 1630s.

vacillation

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of vacillation

Examples from the Web for vacillation

vacillation