What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hesitation
Example
She hesitated before answering the question. [hesitated: verb]
Example
There was a hesitation in his voice when he spoke about the topic. [hesitation: noun]
vacillation
Example
His vacillation on the issue made it difficult to reach a consensus. [vacillation: noun]
Example
She vacillated between the two options for hours before finally making a decision. [vacillated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hesitation is more commonly used than vacillation in everyday language. Hesitation is a common experience that everyone can relate to, while vacillation is a more specific and less common term.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hesitation and vacillation?
Both hesitation and vacillation are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional contexts. However, vacillation may be perceived as more formal or technical than hesitation due to its less common usage.
