vacillation

noun

ˌva-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce vacillation (audio)
Definition of vacillationnext
as in hesitation
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vacillation Indeed, at least some of the vacillations seem to be driven by public opinion. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 Energy policy vacillation in the US is spooking investors and leaving the country less prepared to compete in the global economy. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026 Your corrupt presidency of graft, vengeance and ceaseless vacillation between loudly complaining and loudly boasting has become like a jackhammer outside our collective window every day since your inauguration. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026 This is familiar territory for singular sports figures; think of how, over three seasons of 100 Foot Wave, big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara has opened up about his own vacillation between craving dominance and fearing irrelevance. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillation
  1. hesitation
  2. hesitancy
  3. hesitance
  4. pause
Noun
  • Some rabbinic readings attribute Lot’s hesitation to leave Sodom to his immoral greed and inordinate wealth.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Her hesitation isn’t about her affection for Tewkesbury but out of fear of losing her identity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of hesitation
Noun
  • Sidewalk safety, a tale of two cities There is no such hesitancy with cities collecting roadway data.
    — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • The Iranian regime’s apparent hesitancy to resume in-person talks is a significant step back from the high-level talks that took place in Switzerland earlier this month following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the countries.
    — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of hesitancy
Noun
  • Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
  • That hesitance in the Republican Party coexists with palpable relief that there’s a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East after months of strikes on Iran.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Definition of hesitance
Noun
  • The stock has eased slightly since then to around $171, a normal pause after such a steep run, and the level to watch is whether that old $130 breakout zone holds if the pullback extends.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Packages flow directly from dock doors into scanning, identification and stacking—with no pauses, no handoffs and no redesigns.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
Definition of pause

Browse Nearby Words

vacillating
vacillation
vacuate
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Cite this Entry

“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on vacillation

Nglish: Translation of vacillation for Spanish Speakers

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