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
-
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
-
Concerns about the economy and tariffs do have some companies hesitating to make long-term decisions, but even with that concern, more are taking on long-term leases than were a year ago, CBRE found.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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China's housing downturn has stretched into a fourth year, with prices, sales, investment and construction activity faltering across the board.—
Anniek Bao,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Investors’ long-running enthusiasm for artificial intelligence showed signs of faltering late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning as tech stocks tumbled.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In a fast-paced, digital, and uncertain world, wallpaper offers both emotional and sensory reprieve.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
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Right now, midfield, where Joe Willock’s long-term future is uncertain, and up front remain areas which could be improved upon.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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She was frustrated by Highmark’s denials and unsure if her last resort, the external appeal, would yield results.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Daniel Palencia left Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Nationals after giving up 5 runs with a right posterior shoulder injury, and Counsell was still unsure the next day whether Palencia could return before the end of the regular season.—
Jared Wyllys,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Some aren’t convinced that attempting to climb the ranks on set will pay off at a time when competition is so cutthroat and the future of the business is so wobbly.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
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The finances also are wobbly here as all the money left behind by the Dowager Countess has been squandered.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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To go on or not without her remains undecided.—
Beverly Gologorsky
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Kiley on Epstein Kiley is undecided whether to sign.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Reactions to Breinberg’s victory were respectful and occasionally ambivalent.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Clearly, yellow lights arise when one partner is uncertain or ambivalent.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vacillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillating. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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