Synonyms for vacillate

Most common

sway · fluctuate · waver · totter · flip-flop · stagger · whiffle

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.

2. v. 2

   To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

Related words

Word family

vacillant vacillating vacillation vacillator vacillatory

Forms

Past participle

vacillated
e.g. vacillated → wavered, fluctuated, hesitated, tottered…

Choose the right word

Example sentences

• sway From the time he got up, his beliefs began to sway.
• fluctuate Vegetable prices fluctuate according to the season.
• waver We will also not waver in our values and our principles as a nation.
• totter Tom and Mary were playing on the teeter-totter.
• stagger The company is attempting to stagger work hours.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters

rock¹, reel¹, sway¹

5 letters

doubt¹, hover², waver²

6 letters

waffle², wobble², falter², totter², careen²

7 letters

flutter², vibrate², stagger², whiffle

8 letters

hesitate³

9 letters

fluctuate³, oscillate³

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (hover² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français

vaciller

Català

centellejar