vacillation

noun

vac·​il·​la·​tion ˌva-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce vacillation (audio)
1
: an act or instance of vacillating
2
: inability to take a stand : irresolution, indecision

Examples of vacillation in a Sentence

the president was soundly criticized for his vacillation before responding to the crisis
Recent Examples on the Web The uptick in shoplifting over the past six months, which follows vacillations trending upward over the past two years, is at least somewhat attributable to macroeconomic factors, according to a study released by LendingTree last week. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 Aug. 2024 The vacillation between tragic and comic set pieces does justice to neither. Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 23 July 2024 Contrasting success stories with the vacillations of the current administration will project Trump as a global colossus. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2024 This administration’s vacillation in trying to dictate Israeli military options, including withholding weapons, only prolongs it. Chris Eddy, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for vacillation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vacillation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vacillacion, borrowed from Latin vacillātiōn-, vacillātiō, from vacillāre "to be unsteady, vacillate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vacillation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near vacillation

Cite this Entry

“Vacillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacillation. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.

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