Thesaurus

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

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

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

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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