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vacillate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of vacillate

to show uncertainty about the right course of action
  • vacillated for so long that someone else stepped in and made the decision
Synonyms of vacillate

balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, waver, wobble (also wabble)
Words Related to vacillate

haw, hem

dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait

back down, chicken (out)

consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh

oscillate, sway

equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle
Near Antonyms of vacillate

decide

budge, stir

advance, continue
Antonyms of vacillate

dive (in), plunge (in)

Synonym Discussion of vacillate

hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.
    • hesitated before answering the question
waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.
    • wavered in his support of the rebels
vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.
    • vacillated until events were out of control
falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.
    • never once faltered during her testimony

Learn More about vacillate

  1. See words that rhyme with vacillate Dictionary: Definition of vacillate Spanish Central: Translation of vacillate Nglish: Translation of vacillate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vacillate for Arabic speakers

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