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
• teeter
• halt
• wabble
• 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

Here are signs leadership has slipped into chaos: No clear priorities: Leaders who view all issues as urgent communicate constantly vacillating expectations, creating massive confusion. —Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

On Ransom Canyon, Minka Kelly's Quinn vacillates between feelings for wealthy rancher and town bigwig, Davis Collins (Eoin Macken), and longtime crush, salt-of-the-earth rancher, Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel). —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Val, which premiered at Cannes Film Festival, is a genuinely surprising and strange movie that vacillates between emotional extremes at an almost minute-by-minute pace. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025

Yes, but: The bird flu outbreak has vacillated in the last three years and could quickly spike again. —Axios, 28 Mar. 2025