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
Examples of vacillation in a Sentence
the president was soundly criticized for his vacillation before responding to the crisis
Recent Examples on the Web
The protests led the government to backtrack on the geographical designation, but this vacillation sparked counter-protests in Marne, the first-tier Champagne region.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Apr. 2025
An industry that plans product launches and manufacturing years in advance faced four days of vacillation from the White House, which appeared torn over how much assistance to provide U.S. companies that make the nation’s smartphones and watches, computers, tablets and semiconductors.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Likewise, after years of vacillation, there is finally a bipartisan consensus that the threat from the Kremlin is serious and must be countered.
—Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
Beijing is not alone in facing vacillations from Trump in his second term.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
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.
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Apr. 2025
An industry that plans product launches and manufacturing years in advance faced four days of vacillation from the White House, which appeared torn over how much assistance to provide U.S. companies that make the nation’s smartphones and watches, computers, tablets and semiconductors.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Likewise, after years of vacillation, there is finally a bipartisan consensus that the threat from the Kremlin is serious and must be countered.
—Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
Beijing is not alone in facing vacillations from Trump in his second term.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
Cite this Entry
“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacillation. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share