vacillate Hear it!

vacillate Definition

vac·il·late (-lāt′)

intransitive verb -·lat′ed, -·lat′·ing

  1. to sway to and fro; waver; totter; stagger
  2. to fluctuate or oscillate
  3. to waver in mind; show indecision

Etymology: < L vacillatus, pp. of vacillare, to sway to and fro, waver < IE *wek-, to be bent, prob. < base *wā-, to bend apart, turn > L varus, bent, diverse

vacillate Related Forms
vac′·il·la′·tion noun vac′·il·la′·tor noun vac′·il·la·to′ry (-lə tôr′ē) adjective
vacillate Synonyms

vacillate

v.

  1. To totter

    waver, sway, stagger; see reel, totter 2.

  2. To hesitate

    fluctuate, dawdle, falter; see hesitate, pause.

vacillate Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • question: The KPD has vacillated on many questions, and if you were to look into your own eyes you would see beams enough there.

Modifying Another Word

  • back: This aspect also adds less compatibility to the relationship as it vacillates back and forth from positive direction to grim outlook.
  • not: They do not vacillate with regard to their task of considering whatever object appears.
  • instead: Unfortunately, both the POUM and CNT leaders vacillated instead of going on the offensive, giving the counter-revolutionary forces the upper hand.

Browse dictionary entries near vacillate

  1. ‹ vacillant
  2. ‹ vaccinia
  3. ‹ vaccine
  4. ‹ vaccination
  5. ‹ vaccinated
  6. ‹ vaccinate
  7. ‹ vaccinal
  8. ‹ Vacaville
  9. ‹ vacationland
  10. ‹ vacationist
  1. vacillating ›
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  4. vacuity ›
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  8. vacuous ›
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  10. vacuum cleaner ›