hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.
//hesitated before answering the question waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.
//wavered in his support of the rebels vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.
//vacillated until events were out of control falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.
//
never once faltered during her testimony
1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
borrowed from Latin vacillātus, past participle of vacillāre "to be unsteady, totter, be weak or inconstant, waver," of uncertain origin
Synonyms for vacillate
Words Related to vacillate
Near Antonyms for vacillate
Antonyms for vacillate
vacillate
verbvacillate
verb