vacillate meaning

UK US /ˈvæsəleɪt/ 3 syllables

vacillate (verb): be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action.

vacillate has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

vacillate as a verb

  1. be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
    • He oscillates between accepting the new position and retirement

    Synonyms: hover, vibrate, oscillate

    Type of: hesitate

    Kinds: shillyshally

    Related forms: vacillant, vacillation, vacillator

  2. move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
    • the line on the monitor vacillated

    Synonyms: fluctuate, waver

    Type of: swing

    Related forms: vacillation

How to pronounce vacillate

vacillate is pronounced /ˈvæsəleɪt/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Word lists: words starting with VA · words ending in TE · 9-letter words

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