vacillation

[ vas-uh-ley-shuh n ]

/ ˌvæs əˈleɪ ʃən /

an act or instance of vacillating.

a state of indecision or irresolution.

unsteady movement; fluctuation.

Origin of vacillation

1350–1400; Middle English vacillacion < Latin vacillātiōn- (stem of vacillātiō) a swaying. See vacillate, -ion

non·vac·il·la·tion, noun

He also could blame the downturn on the vacillation of authorities—and politics.

Will Bangkok's Floods Swamp the Government? |Lennox Samuels |October 22, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
At the Pentagon, which bears the brunt of much of this hesitation and vacillation, the mood is one of not-so-quiet desperation.

Obama's Middle East Head Spin |Christopher Dickey, John Barry |April 22, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Paul Krugman of The New York Times is convinced that the president's weakness and vacillation are to blame.

Be More Like Teddy |Reihan Salam |August 26, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Vacillation and inconsistency are as incompatible with successful diplomacy as they are with the national dignity.

Speeches of Benjamin Harrison |Benjamin Harrison

Between bouts with prelates, Luther sent a few thunderbolts at Erasmus, accusing him of vacillation and cowardice.

Little Journeys To The Homes Of Great Teachers |Elbert Hubbard
The use of indefinite and weakening expressions leads to suspicion of vacillation and indecision.

Sound Military Decision |U.s. Naval War College
Blank cartridges and vacillation stimulate a half-formed purpose into action.

Equatorial America |Maturin M. Ballou
The Teuton system may have shortcomings but hesitation and vacillation cannot be numbered among them.

Sixteen Months in Four German Prisons |Henry Charles Mahoney