VACILLATE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'vacillate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vacillate are falter , hesitate , and waver . While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision. // vacillated until events were out of control

Q: When is it sensible to use 'falter' instead of 'vacillate'?

While the synonyms falter and vacillate are close in meaning, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear. // never once faltered during her testimony

Q: When would 'hesitate' be a good substitute for 'vacillate'?

The words hesitate and vacillate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing. // hesitated before answering the question

Q: When could 'waver' be used to replace 'vacillate'?

Although the words waver and vacillate have much in common, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat. // wavered in his support of the rebels

vacillate

verb

ˈva-sə-ˌlāt

Definition of vacillate next

as in to hesitate

to show uncertainty about the right course of action vacillated for so long that someone else stepped in and made the decision

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How does the verb vacillate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vacillate are falter, hesitate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

When is it sensible to use falter instead of vacillate?

While the synonyms falter and vacillate are close in meaning, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

When would hesitate be a good substitute for vacillate?

The words hesitate and vacillate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When could waver be used to replace vacillate?

Although the words waver and vacillate have much in common, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

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 vacillate Ware has vacillated out of and then into and then out of and now back into the starting lineup. —

Fred Katz, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 Since then, academic institutions at nearly every level have vacillated between outright AI bans to formal partnerships with AI companies. —

Jared Perlo, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025 Seven months later, his emotions still vacillate between anger and acceptance. —

Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025 Virginia Ritter spent most of her of the rest of her life vacillating between empathy and anger for her daughter's killer, all the while serving as a fierce victims' rights advocate in Nashville. —

Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vacillate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vacillate

Verb

Asked during a keynote appearance at Berlin’s European Film Market whether such a deal would be good for the film business, Ford didn’t hesitate.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Glenn and his friends were asked to meet some girls, and the teens didn’t hesitate.

— Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026

Definition of hesitate

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vacations

vacillate

vacillated

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“Vacillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vacillate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of vacillate

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