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Synonyms

vacillation

American  
[vas-uh-ley-shuhn] / ˌvæs əˈleɪ ʃən /

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

Etymology

Origin of vacillation

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

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.

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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

When Lois is in the coma, there is a lot of vacillation between what she’s dealing with in terms of what's going on with the case and the trauma.

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times