vacillating

[ vas-uh-ley-ting ]
/ ˈvæs əˌleɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

not resolute; wavering; indecisive; hesitating: an ineffectual, vacillating person.
oscillating; swaying; fluctuating: a vacillating indicator.
Also vacillant.

Origin of vacillating

First recorded in 1805–15; vacillate + -ing2

SYNONYMS FOR vacillating

1 See fickle.

OTHER WORDS FROM vacillating

vac·il·lat·ing·ly, adverb non·vac·il·lat·ing, adjective un·vac·il·lat·ing, adjective

Definition for vacillating (2 of 2)

vacillate
[ vas-uh-leyt ]
/ ˈvæs əˌleɪt /

verb (used without object), vac·il·lat·ed, vac·il·lat·ing.

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute: His tendency to vacillate makes him a poor leader.
to sway unsteadily; waver; totter; stagger.
to oscillate or fluctuate.

Origin of vacillate

1590–1600; < Latin vacillātus (past participle of vacillāre to sway to and fro); see -ate1

SYNONYMS FOR vacillate

1 hesitate. See waver1.
2 reel.

OTHER WORDS FROM vacillate

vac·il·la·tor, noun

Example sentences from the Web for vacillating

British Dictionary definitions for vacillating (1 of 2)

vacillating

rarely vacillant (ˈvæsɪlənt)

/ (ˈvæsɪˌleɪtɪŋ) /

adjective

inclined to waver; indecisive

Derived forms of vacillating

vacillatingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for vacillating (2 of 2)

vacillate
/ (ˈvæsɪˌleɪt) /

verb (intr)

to fluctuate in one's opinions; be indecisive
to sway from side to side physically; totter or waver

Derived forms of vacillate

vacillation, noun vacillator, noun

Word Origin for vacillate

C16: from Latin vacillāre to sway, of obscure origin