What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hesitated
Example
She hesitated before answering the question. [hesitated: verb]
Example
He showed hesitation when asked to speak in public. [hesitation: noun]
vacillated
Example
The politician vacillated on his stance regarding the issue. [vacillated: verb]
Example
She was criticized for her vacillation on the matter. [vacillation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hesitated is more commonly used than vacillated in everyday language. Hesitated is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while vacillated is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hesitated and vacillated?
Vacillated is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, while hesitated can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
