as in hesitation
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
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Recent Examples of vacillation
Beijing is not alone in facing vacillations from Trump in his second term.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
After a whirlwind romance and much theatrical vacillation, Lowell abandoned Hardwick to join Blackwood in London in 1970, a move that would forever mark her as the other woman to Hardwick’s many passionate partisans.
—Negar Azimi, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
The exhibition continually plays upon vacillations between intimacy and exposure, with one of the Torso prints of black and white buttocks enlarged and sprawling down the length of one gallery.
—Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024
The intelligent decision militarily was to withdraw them, and after much vacillation and considerable Ukrainian military pressure, that was exactly what Russia did.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
After a whirlwind romance and much theatrical vacillation, Lowell abandoned Hardwick to join Blackwood in London in 1970, a move that would forever mark her as the other woman to Hardwick’s many passionate partisans.
—Negar Azimi, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
The exhibition continually plays upon vacillations between intimacy and exposure, with one of the Torso prints of black and white buttocks enlarged and sprawling down the length of one gallery.
—Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024
The intelligent decision militarily was to withdraw them, and after much vacillation and considerable Ukrainian military pressure, that was exactly what Russia did.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillation
Noun
-
The arc of Fatal Optimist and Diaz’s perceptive, insistent songwriting make that movement, even with its hesitation, feel like a victory.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The bear was now 35 yards away and showing no hesitation in her charge.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
-
That hesitancy is echoed by some analysts, who said the concept currently lacked clarity.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump has taken distinct interest in influencing the Fed, repeatedly criticizing Chair Jerome Powell over his hesitance to back lowering interest rates.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Chatter in the market revolved around the reasons for the downturn – rising competition from streaming platforms, consumer belt-tightening and hesitance on the part of investors and studios – as well as possible solutions.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The American president was in his element, often departing from prepared remarks in an address that extended for an hour in front of a crowd that was more than happy to applaud at every pause.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes, a long pause in stalking behavior is a tactic designed to create more fear by allowing the victim to drop their guard before restarting the behavior, said Aims Babich, director of survivor services at SafeHouse Denver, an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillation. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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