vacillate Definition
- 1to keep changing your opinion or thoughts about something, especially in a way that annoys other people
- 2to sway unsteadily; waver; totter; stagger
Using vacillate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "vacillate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He vacillated between accepting the job and turning it down.
Example
The president has been criticized for vacillating on key issues.
Example
She vacillated for weeks before finally making a decision.
Example
The candle flame vacillated in the breeze.
vacillate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with vacillate
Example
She vacillated between staying in her current job and pursuing a new career.
Example
The politician has been known to vacillate on important policy matters.
Example
He vacillated over whether to attend the party or stay home.
Origins of vacillate
from Latin 'vacillare', meaning 'to sway, oscillate'
Summary: vacillate in Brief
The verb 'vacillate' [ˈvæsəleɪt] means to change one's opinion or thoughts about something, often annoying others. It can also mean to sway unsteadily. Examples include 'He vacillated between accepting the job and turning it down.' and 'The candle flame vacillated in the breeze.' 'Vacillate' is often used with prepositions like 'between,' 'on,' and 'over.'