vacillation

noun

vac·​il·​la·​tion ˌva-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of vacillating

2

: inability to take a stand : irresolution, indecision

Synonyms of vacillation

• hesitation
• hesitancy
• hesitance
• pause

Examples of vacillation in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, at least some of the vacillations seem to be driven by public opinion. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 June 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

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

The vacillation has fueled criticism from those who say Trump lacks a clear goal. —Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vacillation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation