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
Blyth stands out largely because his character harbors the most internal conflict, but his vacillation between bullying patronization and pitiable wreck generates tonal whiplash all the same.
—
Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
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Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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 5 Oct. 2025.
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