Its [the barometer's] normal register in the Paumotus [the Tuamotus] was 29.90, and it was quite customary to see it vacillate between 29.85 and 30.00, or even 30.05; […]
Source: wiktionary
Vacillate
/ˈvæ.sə.leɪt/
Synonyms for "vacillate" (160 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (32)
Strong matches (48)
Related words (80)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: oscillate, waver, alternate, alternate, back and fill.
- Sentence evidence is available for vacillate, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "vacillate".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "vacillate"
Keep "vacillate" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "vacillate" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "vacillate", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "vacillate" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
4 entriesCollocations
6 entriesalternating choicesbrief waveringfrequent hesitationongoing uncertaintypersistent indecisionstrong vacillation
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
Courageous, patriotic, yet vacillating, many of the noblest principles and the purest intentions, men of large possessions and ancient names, under the afflicting circumstances of the times, failed to render service to their unhappy country, but involved themselves in irremediable ruin.
Source: wiktionary
Though it is vital to be alert for circumstances which require a change of plan, it is fatal to vacillate.
Source: wiktionary
On the streets of Berlin, Ruth and her compatriots vacillated "between hope and despair."
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "vacillate"?
Closest matches include oscillate, waver, alternate, alternate, back and fill.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "vacillate"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.