Definitions
- Describing a momentary pause or delay in making a decision. - Referring to a temporary reluctance or uncertainty in taking action. - Talking about a brief interruption or hesitation in speech or movement.
- Describing a prolonged and indecisive wavering between two or more options. - Referring to a repeated change of opinion or course of action. - Talking about a lack of firmness or consistency in making choices or decisions.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a lack of decisiveness or firmness.
- 2Both words suggest a degree of uncertainty or doubt.
- 3Both words can refer to a mental or emotional state.
- 4Both words can be used in formal or informal contexts.
- 5Both words can be used to describe a person's behavior or actions.
What is the difference?
- 1Duration: Hesitated implies a brief pause or delay, while vacillated suggests a more prolonged and indecisive wavering.
- 2Frequency: Hesitated refers to a single instance of hesitation, while vacillated implies repeated changes of opinion or course of action.
- 3Intensity: Hesitated suggests a mild reluctance or uncertainty, while vacillated implies a more significant lack of firmness or consistency.
- 4Scope: Hesitated can refer to a specific decision or action, while vacillated can apply to a broader range of choices or behaviors.
- 5Connotation: Hesitated is neutral in tone, while vacillated can carry a negative connotation of indecisiveness or inconsistency.
Remember this!
Hesitated and vacillated both describe a lack of decisiveness or firmness. However, hesitated implies a brief pause or delay in making a decision, while vacillated suggests a more prolonged and indecisive wavering between two or more options. Additionally, hesitated is neutral in tone, while vacillated can carry a negative connotation of indecisiveness or inconsistency.
