Vacillations — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌva-sə-ˈlā-shən/ vac·il·la·tion

Meaning & Definition of Vacillations

Vacillations (noun)

  1. an act or instance of vacillating
  2. inability to take a stand, irresolution, indecision

Vacillations (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action

    "the president was soundly criticized for his vacillation before responding to the crisis"

    similar: faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, pause, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, wavering, wobbling
    related: delay, hawing, procrastination, waiting, arrière-pensée, misgiving, second thought, consideration, debate, deliberation, doubt, incertitude, indecisiveness, indetermination, uncertainness, uncertainty, avoidance, equivocation, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness, faintheartedness, shyness, timidity, timidness
    near: certainty, certitude, confidence, decisiveness, determination, firmness, resoluteness, resolution, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, readiness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Vacillations

The most common words with a similar meaning to Vacillations:

faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, pause, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, wavering, wobbling

Related Words for Vacillations

delay, hawing, procrastination, waiting, arrière-pensée, misgiving, second thought, consideration, debate, deliberation, doubt, incertitude, indecisiveness, indetermination, uncertainness, uncertainty, avoidance, equivocation, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness, faintheartedness, shyness, timidity, timidness

Near Antonyms of Vacillations

certainty, certitude, confidence, decisiveness, determination, firmness, resoluteness, resolution, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, readiness

Origin & Etymology of Vacillations

Middle English vacillacion, borrowed from Latin vacillātiōn-, vacillātiō, from vacillāre "to be unsteady, vacillate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Vacillations

What does "Vacillations" mean?

"Vacillations" means an act or instance of vacillating. As a noun, it is defined as: an act or instance of vacillating.

What is another word for "Vacillations"?

Other words for "Vacillations" include faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution and pause. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Vacillations" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Vacillations"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Vacillations". Common alternatives include faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, pause, shilly-shally and shilly-shallying.

How do you use "Vacillations" in a sentence?

Examples of "Vacillations" in a sentence: "the president was soundly criticized for his vacillation before responding to the crisis".

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

"Vacillations" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Vacillations"?

"Vacillations" is pronounced /ˌva-sə-ˈlā-shən/ and divided into syllables as vac·il·la·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Vacillations"?

"Vacillations" comes from Middle English vacillacion, borrowed from Latin vacillātiōn-, vacillātiō, from vacillāre "to be unsteady, vacillate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Vacillations" meaning "a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action"?

When "Vacillations" (noun) means a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action, synonyms include faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation and indecision.