1
Core action
Alternate indecisively between different opinions, choices, or courses of action.
Example
The committee vacillated between expansion and repair.
vacillate
/ˈvæsɪleɪt/ · VAS-ih-laytverb
Alternate indecisively between different opinions, choices, or courses of action.
Use vacillate to express this relationship precisely: alternate indecisively between different opinions, choices, or courses of action.
What vacillate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
He continued to vacillate on whether to publish the results.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Markets vacillated between optimism and concern.
Use vacillate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The committee vacillated between expansion and repair.
He continued to vacillate on whether to publish the results.
Markets vacillated between optimism and concern.
Precision Matters
Vacillate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
vacillate
vs.Means alternate indecisively between different opinions, choices, or courses of action.
ambivalence
Means simultaneous conflicting feelings about something.
vacillate
vs.Means alternate indecisively between different opinions, choices, or courses of action.
capricious
Means given to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood, behaviour, or decision.
vacillate
vs.Means alternate indecisively between different opinions, choices, or courses of action.
adamant
Means firmly refusing to change a decision, belief, or position.
vacillate
vs.Means alternate indecisively between different opinions, choices, or courses of action.
tentative
Means provisional, hesitant, or not yet certain, fixed, or fully developed.
Test vacillate in Context
The council moves indecisively back and forth between two options.
1
Unable to choose either proposal, the council continued to ___ between them.