vacillating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "vacillating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is undecided or has fluctuating opinions; for example, "She was vacillating between whether to stay or leave the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The BBC's new docu-drama series, Armada, opened last night with visual reenactments of all the hoary tropes of Elizabethan storytelling: a beleaguered isle, led by a vacillating queen; plucky English sailors knocking together a flotilla from the few planks of driftwood and some Vaseline; wordless, faceless Spaniards, bearing down with dark crucifixes upon their captives as instruments of torture.

The Guardian - Opinion

And this strategy has an additional benefit in having freed him, after vacillating too long, to offer the more liberal vision of Britain that pandering to the right precludes.

The Economist

Vacillating by the Treasury has delayed some payments to Leeds by as much as two years.

The Economist

IN OPPOSITION, Tony Blair used to mock the Tories' vacillating policy of "wait and see" on the euro.

The Economist

For the blunt truth is that however well General Petraeus's men may or may not be doing, Iraq's own politicians have so far shown a spectacular unwillingness to pull their weight.The chances that the surge would provide a vital breathing-space for the incompetent, vacillating, sectarian and (lest we forget) democratically elected government of Nuri al-Maliki were always slim.

The Economist

It recognises their social role, even though it acknowledges that they are unconstitutional.What Banyan terms as a rejection of both pre-19899 leftism" and "market fundamentalism" is actually just the vacillating position of the party's leadership, rather than any consistent commitment to an economic policy (it opposes more foreign investment in retail).

The Economist

The city fathers are well aware that unless the picture improves, those middle-class residents who are vacillating between rebuilding and moving out will not have much difficulty making up their minds.

The Economist

The South Korean government is vacillating, fearing that this would rile the North and so increase the nuclear threat.

The Economist

With intelligence and aplomb, "Richelieu: Art and Power" focuses on the cardinal-duke's key role in French high culture during the two decades after 1624, when as minister to a stubborn and vacillating Louis XIII he was the most important man in France.Although royal counsellor, devout churchman, military chief-of-staff and diplomat, Richelieu somehow found time for patronage.

The Economist

Although democratic politicians spend a lot of time vacillating, arguing and being loud and disagreeable, this can reinforce stability in the medium term; it allows the interests and viewpoints of more people to be heard before action is taken.

The Economist

The matter is hardly helped by politicians vacillating on the issue.Finding data on vaccinations is actually more difficult than it sounds.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vacillating", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is wavering between. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

While "vacillating" is a valid word, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise synonyms like "indecisive" or "hesitant" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vacillating" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of indecisiveness or wavering. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "vacillating" functions primarily as an adjective, describing someone or something that wavers or is indecisive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias. While "vacillating" is commonly used, it's important to consider more precise synonyms like "indecisive" or "hesitant" in formal writing. Remember, according to Ludwig, to provide context to what is wavering so that it adds clarity and precision to your writing. Its usage patterns show it to be frequent in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Alternatives include "wavering", "indecisive", and "hesitant", each carrying slightly different nuances. By understanding these nuances and considering the context, you can effectively use "vacillating" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wavering

Focuses more on the act of unsteady movement or hesitation between choices.

indecisive

Highlights the inability to make a firm decision.

hesitant

Emphasizes a pause or reluctance before acting or deciding.

equivocating

Suggests ambiguity and a deliberate attempt to avoid committing to a specific position.

fluctuating

Implies movement back and forth between different states or opinions.

ambivalent

Refers to having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

irresolute

Stresses a lack of determination or firmness of purpose.

oscillating

Describes a regular back-and-forth movement or variation.

swaying

Implies being influenced or moved by different opinions or forces.

shilly-shallying

Informal term indicating an inability to make up one's mind, characterized by a lack of purpose.

FAQs

How to use "vacillating" in a sentence?

You can use "vacillating" to describe someone or something that is wavering or indecisive, for example, "The leader's "vacillating" approach to the problem frustrated the team".

What can I say instead of "vacillating"?

You can use alternatives like "wavering", "indecisive", or "hesitant" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "vacillating" or "oscillating"?

"Vacillating" implies indecisiveness or wavering between options, while "oscillating" refers to a regular back-and-forth movement or variation. Use "oscillating" when describing something that moves rhythmically between two points.

What's the difference between "vacillating" and "ambivalent"?

"Vacillating" suggests an inability to decide, whereas "ambivalent" indicates having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.