Vacillate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈva-sə-ˌlāt/ vac·il·late

Meaning & Definition of Vacillate

Vacillate (verb)

  1. to waver in mind, will, or feeling, hesitate in choice of opinions or courses
  2. to sway through lack of equilibrium
  3. fluctuate, oscillate

Vacillate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to show uncertainty about the right course of action

    "vacillated for so long that someone else stepped in and made the decision"

    similar: balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, waver, wobble
    related: haw, hem, dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait, back down, chicken (out), consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh, oscillate, sway, equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle
    opposite: dive (in), plunge (in)
    near: decide, budge, stir, advance, continue

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Vacillate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Vacillate:

balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, waver, wobble

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Vacillate

Words with the opposite meaning of Vacillate:

dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words for Vacillate

haw, hem, dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait, back down, chicken (out), consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh, oscillate, sway, equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle

Near Antonyms of Vacillate

decide, budge, stir, advance, continue

Word Forms of Vacillate

Inflections: vacillated, vacillating

Derived words: vacillatingly (adverb), vacillator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Vacillate

borrowed from Latin vacillātus, past participle of vacillāre "to be unsteady, totter, be weak or inconstant, waver," of uncertain origin

First known use: 1597

Frequently Asked Questions about Vacillate

What does "Vacillate" mean?

"Vacillate" means to waver in mind, will, or feeling, hesitate in choice of opinions or courses. As a verb, it is defined as: to waver in mind, will, or feeling, hesitate in choice of opinions or courses.

What is another word for "Vacillate"?

Other words for "Vacillate" include balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple and shilly-shally. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Vacillate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Vacillate"?

There are 34 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Vacillate". Common alternatives include balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger and teeter.

What is the opposite of "Vacillate"?

Antonyms of "Vacillate" include dive (in) and plunge (in). Near antonyms include decide, budge, stir and advance.

How do you use "Vacillate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Vacillate" in a sentence: "vacillated for so long that someone else stepped in and made the decision".

Is "Vacillate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Vacillate" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Vacillate"?

"Vacillate" is pronounced /ˈva-sə-ˌlāt/ and divided into syllables as vac·il·late.

What is the origin of the word "Vacillate"?

"Vacillate" comes from borrowed from Latin vacillātus, past participle of vacillāre "to be unsteady, totter, be weak or inconstant, waver," of uncertain origin. First known use: 1597.