Vacillate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone is unable to decide between different options or actions, often going back and forth between them.

• She often vacillates between wanting to move to a new city and staying where she is

Describes pausing before saying or doing something, usually because of uncertainty or reluctance.

• She hesitated before answering the difficult question

Indicates a lack of firmness or resolution, often suggesting weakness or indecisiveness.

• His commitment to the project wavered after the initial enthusiasm faded

Refers to changing frequently and irregularly, often used for things like prices, opinions, or physical conditions.

• The stock prices fluctuated wildly throughout the day

Implies being indecisive in a way that suggests nervousness or confusion, often creating a negative impression.

• He was still dithering about whether to accept the job offer when it was too late

Used when someone is deliberately being vague or ambiguous to avoid committing to a specific stance or decision, often seen as dishonest.

• The politician continued to equivocate when asked about his stance on climate change

Used when someone cannot decide between different options or opinions and keeps changing their mind.

• She tends to vacillate between career choices, unable to decide on a single path

Describes something that changes continually and irregularly, often used for quantities or conditions.

• The prices of stocks can fluctuate widely from day to day

Usually refers to something that moves back and forth in a regular rhythm or pattern, like a pendulum.

• The fan oscillates to cool the entire room

Closely related to vacillate, it suggests hesitation or being indecisive, but can also mean to become unsteady or lose strength.

• Her resolve didn't waver even in the face of adversity

Can mean to move slowly or rhythmically from side to side, often used for objects or people, and can also refer to influencing someone's opinion.

• The trees sway gently in the breeze
• He was easily swayed by her persuasive arguments

Used to indicate differences or changes, often within a range or among different instances.

• The menu can vary depending on the season

This word is used when someone is unable to make a decision or is wavering between different options.

• She tends to vacillate when it comes to making career decisions.
• He vacillated between becoming a doctor or a lawyer.

This word can describe a gentle back and forth motion, often caused by wind or emotion.

• The trees began to sway in the strong wind.
• She was swayed by his emotional speech.

This word describes an unsteady walk or movement, often due to weakness or alcohol.

• He managed to stagger to the door despite his injuries.
• The drunk man staggered down the street.

This word refers to a wider arc-like motion, often associated with joy or play, but can also describe moods or opinions that change.

• The children loved to swing in the playground.
• Public opinion can swing dramatically from one month to the next.

This word is used to describe continuous changes, often in terms of prices, temperatures, or other measurable quantities.

• The stock market tends to fluctuate daily.
• Temperatures can fluctuate wildly in this region.

This word is often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe something that moves back and forth at regular intervals, like a pendulum.

• The pendulum oscillates with a steady rhythm.
• His mood seems to oscillate between happiness and depression.