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Oscillate vs. Vacillate

Oscillate and Vacillate Definitions

Oscillate

To swing back and forth with a steady, uninterrupted rhythm.

Vacillate

To be unable to choose between different courses of action or opinions; waver
She vacillated about whether to leave.

Oscillate

To waver, as between conflicting opinions or courses of action; vacillate
"The court has oscillated over the decades from more liberal to less, more conservative to less, depending upon who was president at the time of vacancies" (Gordon J. Humphrey).

Vacillate

To change between one state and another; fluctuate
The weather vacillated between sunny and rainy.

Oscillate

(Physics) To vary between alternate extremes, usually within a definable period of time.

Vacillate

(Archaic) To sway from one side to the other.
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Oscillate

(intransitive) To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.
A pendulum oscillates slower as it gets longer.

Vacillate

(intransitive) To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.

Oscillate

(intransitive) To vacillate between conflicting opinions, etc.
The mood for change oscillated from day to day.

Vacillate

(intransitive) To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

Oscillate

(intransitive) To vary above and below a mean value.

Vacillate

To move one way and the other; to reel or stagger; to waver.
[A spheroid] is always liable to shift and vacillatefrom one axis to another.
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Oscillate

To move backward and forward; to vibrate like a pendulum; to swing; to sway.

Vacillate

To fluctuate in mind or opinion; to be unsteady or inconstant; to waver.

Oscillate

To vary or fluctuate between fixed limits; to act or move in a fickle or fluctuating manner; to change repeatedly, back and forth.
The amount of superior families oscillates rather than changes, that is, it fluctuates within fixed limits.

Vacillate

Be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action;
He oscillates between accepting the new position and retirement

Oscillate

Be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action;
He oscillates between accepting the new position and retirement

Vacillate

Move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern;
The line on the monitor vacillated
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Oscillate

Move or swing from side to side regularly;
The needle on the meter was oscillating

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