Vacillate

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈvæ.sÉ™.leɪt/, /ˈvæ.sɪ.leɪt/

Origin

From Latin vacillātum, supine form of vacillō ("sway, waver").

Full definition of vacillate

Verb

1. (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; ...
2. (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

Related terms

• vacillant
• vacillating
• vacillation
• vacillator
• vacillatory

Anagrams

• cavatelli