Vacillate
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈvæ.sə.leɪt/, /ˈvæ.sɪ.leɪt/
Origin
From Latin vacillÄtum, supine form of vacillÅ ("sway, waver").
Full definition of vacillate
Verb
- (intransitive) To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.
- 1910: Jack London, Its barometer's normal register in the Paumotus Tuamotus was 29.90, and it was quite customary to see it vacillate between 29.85 and 30.00, or even 30.05; ...
- (intransitive) To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.
- 2004: Chris Wallace (journalist), Character: Profiles in Presidential CourageOn the streets of Berlin, Ruth and her compatriots vacillated "between hope and despair."
Synonyms
- (to sway from one side to the other) stagger
- (to swing indecisively) blow hot and cold, waffle