vacillate

Vacillate is a verb meaning to waver between different opinions, actions, or courses of action; to be indecisive or irresolute. It often describes someone who cannot settle on a choice, alternating between possibilities as they weigh uncertain factors.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin vacillare, meaning to sway to and fro.

Usage: Vacillate is frequently used in professional, political, and everyday discourse to describe prolonged uncertainty, not brief hesitation. It is similar to but distinct from oscillate, which emphasizes movement, and from hesitate, which denotes a pause rather than sustained doubt. Vacillate can apply to opinions, plans, or actions, especially when choices are influenced by conflicting considerations or external pressures.

Examples: The committee vacillated for weeks before approving the compromise. She vacillated between accepting a new job and staying with her current role, unsure of which option would be best for her career.

See also: waver, fluctuate, oscillate, dither.