Synonyms of vacillate

vacillate

verb

ˈva-sə-ˌlāt 

as in to hesitate

to show uncertainty about the right course of action

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hesitate
• falter
• waver
• dither
• debate
• scruple
• stagger
• wait
• hang back
• halt
• teeter
• pause
• balance
• sway
• shilly-shally
• wobble
• linger
• ponder
• procrastinate
• haw
• dawdle
• delay
• weigh
• oscillate
• equivocate
• deliberate
• hem
• chicken (out)
• back down
• consider
• waffle
• hedge
• pussyfoot
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decide
• continue
• stir
• plunge (in)
• dive (in)
• advance
• budge

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vacillate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vacillate are falter, hesitate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

When is it sensible to use falter instead of vacillate?

While the synonyms falter and vacillate are close in meaning, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

When would hesitate be a good substitute for vacillate?

The words hesitate and vacillate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When could waver be used to replace vacillate?

Although the words waver and vacillate have much in common, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vacillate

The status of further peace talks and other key details of the current relationship between the warring powers have grown increasingly opaque, with Trump vacillating between resuming saber-rattling rhetoric and indicating Washington’s readiness for additional negotiations with Iran. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026

Barron vacillated between playing deep in situational dime packages, fitting run gaps as a veritable off-ball linebacker in big-nickel packages, covering tight ends man-to-man, and even started a game at safety. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026

Their callouts vacillated from descriptions riddled with scientific jargon to exclamations of awe and joy. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026

Yet Brown, who has vacillated on virtually everything this season, has gone in a different direction. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026