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Fluctuate vs Vacillate - What's the difference?

fluctuate | vacillate |

In intransitive terms the difference between fluctuate and vacillate

is that fluctuate is to undulate while vacillate is to swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

fluctuate

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To vary irregularly; to swing.
  • To undulate.
  • To cause to vary irregularly.

    • vacillate

    English

    Verb

    (vacillat)
  • To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.
  • * 1910:
    • 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; [...]
  • To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.
  • * 2004: , Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage
    • On the streets of Berlin, Ruth and her compatriots vacillated "between hope and despair."

    Synonyms

    * (to sway from one side to the other) stagger * (to swing indecisively) blow hot and cold, waffle

    Related terms

    * vacillant * vacillating * vacillation * vacillator * vacillatory

    External links

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