vacillation

noun

vac·​il·​la·​tion ˌva-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce vacillation (audio)
1
: an act or instance of vacillating
2
: inability to take a stand : irresolution, indecision

Examples of vacillation in a Sentence

the president was soundly criticized for his vacillation before responding to the crisis
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The protests led the government to backtrack on the geographical designation, but this vacillation sparked counter-protests in Marne, the first-tier Champagne region. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Apr. 2025 An industry that plans product launches and manufacturing years in advance faced four days of vacillation from the White House, which appeared torn over how much assistance to provide U.S. companies that make the nation’s smartphones and watches, computers, tablets and semiconductors. Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Likewise, after years of vacillation, there is finally a bipartisan consensus that the threat from the Kremlin is serious and must be countered. Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019 Beijing is not alone in facing vacillations from Trump in his second term. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vacillation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vacillacion, borrowed from Latin vacillātiōn-, vacillātiō, from vacillāre "to be unsteady, vacillate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacillation. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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