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Vacillate vs Inscrutable - What's the difference?

vacillate | inscrutable |

As a verb vacillate

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

As an adjective inscrutable is

difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom or interpret.

As a noun inscrutable is

one who or that which is inscrutable; a person, etc that cannot be comprehended.

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

    * ----

    inscrutable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom or interpret.
    • His inscrutable theories would years later become the foundation of a whole new science.
  • * 2007 , Tracy Jordan'' (Tracy Morgan), ''30 Rock :
    • She called my vanity license plate inscrutable ! 'ICU81MI'? Hilarious!

    Synonyms

    * (difficult to comprehend) ineffable

    Derived terms

    * inscrutability * inscrutableness * inscrutably

    See also

    * inexplorable

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who or that which is inscrutable; a person, etc. that cannot be comprehended.