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Vacillate vs Duplicity - What's the difference?

vacillate | duplicity |

As a verb vacillate

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

As a noun duplicity is

intentional deceptiveness; double-dealing.

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

    Anagrams

    * ----

    duplicity

    English

    Noun

  • Intentional deceptiveness; double-dealing.
  • See also

    * double-cross