as in hesitating
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in irresolute
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vacillating
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Evan Bush, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
This is the Alcaraz who is unbeatable, a man who cut out the vacillating streaks in his game that derailed him in Melbourne and Wimbledon.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Lawsuits have followed many of these funding actions, and the subsequent back-and-forth legal battles have left some grants vacillating between canceled and reinstated.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillating
Verb
-
Even all-world corner Pat Surtain II didn’t have his best day, with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones not hesitating to go after him on routes over the middle.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Sep. 2025
-
As adults, this pattern can look like hesitating to ask for help, avoiding vulnerability or keeping emotional struggles private, even from those closest to you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The situation is impossible, irresolute— the B.J. Vineses and priests of the world shouldn’t get to walk away scot free.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
12 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The Street is critical of Cornell for not initiating enough changes and corrections to improve Target’s business, which has been faltering for several seasons.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Lions moved to 2-1, while the Ravens are now 1-2 after faltering late in this game.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With Madubuike -- whose status for the rest of the year is uncertain -- once again out today, and fellow defensive starters Jones and Van Noy possibly unavailable, the Ravens are going to need big-time efforts from LB Roquan Smith and the rest of the front seven.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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National parks appear to have weathed summer crowds despite staffing cuts, but fall remains uncertain.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Experts say women who are unsure should talk with their health care provider about their individual breast cancer risk and the potential benefits and drawbacks of different screening methods.—
Dr. Megha Gupta,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
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Another 31 percent remain unsure or sympathize equally with both.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This is the bright-side scenario of course, one that would require the recent wobbly action in consumer cyclicals and consumer-credit names to reverse or at least get no worse.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Heat players tell war stories of wobbly knees.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Both campaigns are expected to intensify their efforts in the final weeks as each side seeks to sway undecided voters and address the fallout from recent controversies.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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However, the identity of Gasly’s 2026 teammate remains undecided, as the team evaluates potential candidates for a competitive driver lineup.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But many dissidents felt profoundly ambivalent toward a society that, despite having become better educated and more urbanized, was also more dependent than ever on the state.—
Benjamin Nathans
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Still, during her life, Hagerty remained ambivalent about her brush with fame.—
Hannah Shirley,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vacillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillating. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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