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Oscillates vs Vacillate - What's the difference?

oscillates | vacillate |

As verbs the difference between oscillates and vacillate

is that oscillates is third-person singular of oscillate while vacillate is to sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.

oscillates

English

Verb

(head)
  • (oscillate)

    • oscillate

    English

    Verb

    (oscillat)
  • To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.
    • A pendulum oscillates slower as it gets longer.
  • To vacillate between conflicting opinions, etc.
    • The mood for change oscillated from day to day.
  • To vary above and below a mean value.

    • Derived terms

    * oscillation * oscillator

    See also

    * undulate

    External links

    * * * English intransitive verbs ----

    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

    * * *

    Anagrams

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