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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in irresolute
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillating
Adjective
-
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 -
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
Adjective
-
Culture provides a grip in an uncertain world, whether racing through growth or crisis mode.—
Umang Modi,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
According to a survey conducted for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, more than 70% of Americans have felt either cautious or uncertain about their financial situation over the past 12 months.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Without the autonomy to approve such costs within the agency, employees are unsure of their responsibilities.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
-
The filmmaker, unsure his story was appropriate at such a moment, was encouraged by Masharawi to proceed.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Though many voters were undecided, Harris was the choice of 41% of survey respondents, compared to 29% who opted for an unnamed Republican candidate, according to a poll by the University of California Irvine.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
-
The College Football Playoff’s undecided format for 2026 and plays into the SEC’s scheduling decision.—
Blake Toppmeyer,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Iranians, after all, are ambivalent about the state’s reaction.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
-
For the first time in the history of the rivalry, both sides had to deal with the kind of ambivalent compromise that reflects that spirit of the original Michigan-Ohio War.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Vacillating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillating. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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