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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vacillation
Your corrupt presidency of graft, vengeance and ceaseless vacillation between loudly complaining and loudly boasting has become like a jackhammer outside our collective window every day since your inauguration.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Reading Cuba in War Time, we’re reminded that war reporting was never free of this struggle and vacillation.
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Blyth stands out largely because his character harbors the most internal conflict, but his vacillation between bullying patronization and pitiable wreck generates tonal whiplash all the same.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Continued vacillation by all sides deepens the chasm of distrust among the signatories.
—Bisa Williams, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Reading Cuba in War Time, we’re reminded that war reporting was never free of this struggle and vacillation.
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Blyth stands out largely because his character harbors the most internal conflict, but his vacillation between bullying patronization and pitiable wreck generates tonal whiplash all the same.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Continued vacillation by all sides deepens the chasm of distrust among the signatories.
—Bisa Williams, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for vacillation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillation
Noun
-
From Bugenhagen’s perspective, these patterns contribute to hesitation and uncertainty, particularly for individuals seeking long-term relationships, as the process becomes less about connection and more about verification.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Neighbors concerned homes will ‘dominate’ district Homeowners around the Whitewater lot had their own hesitations about the plan.—
Mark Dee
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
State data suggests this hesitancy may continue into childhood.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Pickford’s relative hesitancy to engage aerially, Everton have been one of the most effective teams in the league at defending corners, conceding just five goals, the joint third fewest in the Premier League.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After a pause for the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, social hesitance was still evident and masks were incorporated into some of the night's designs.—
Luis Giraldo,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
-
Sensing hesitance as well as incompetence, coaches and players alike tried to sway the flailing fill-ins at every turn.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Manny fields it, kind of checks and gets the pause, throws it to second.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
For savers, the Fed's ongoing rate pause has effectively preserved an unusually favorable rate environment, one where yields on certificates of deposit (CDs), high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts remain well above the long-term historical average.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillation. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
