Thesaurus

vacillation

noun

Save Word

Synonyms & Antonyms of vacillation

a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action

the president was soundly criticized for his vacillation before responding to the crisis

Synonyms for vacillation

faltering,
fence-sitting,
hesitance,
hesitancy,
hesitation,
indecision,
irresolution,
pause,
shilly-shally,
shilly-shallying,
wavering,
wobbling
(also wabbling)

Words Related to vacillation

delay,
hawing,
procrastination,
waiting

arrière-pensée,
misgiving,
second thought

consideration,
debate,
deliberation,
doubt,
incertitude,
indecisiveness,
indetermination,
uncertainness,
uncertainty

avoidance,
equivocation

aversion,
disinclination,
indisposition,
reluctance,
unwillingness

faintheartedness,
shyness,
timidity,
timidness

Near Antonyms for vacillation

certainty,
certitude,
confidence,
decisiveness,
determination,
firmness,
resoluteness,
resolution,
sureness

alacrity,
eagerness,
readiness

Learn More About vacillation

Thesaurus Entries Near vacillation

vacillating

vacillation

vacuate

Cite this Entry

“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillation. Accessed 7 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

eminently

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Named After People

Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?

Acrobat Judge
Firefighter Surgeon

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Thesaurus

vacillation

Synonyms & Antonyms of vacillation

Learn More About vacillation

The first known use of vacillation was in the 15th century

Thesaurus Entries Near vacillation

WORD OF THE DAY

eminently

Test Your Vocabulary