Meaning: To waver between different opinions or actions
Hindi: हिचकिचाना, डगमगाना
Synonyms: waver, hesitate, fluctuate, dither
Antonyms: decide, commit
Asked in: SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 · SSC CGL 2023 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2020 T-1
vacillate in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 Synonyms
Select the most appropriate synonym of the word: Vacillate
Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Waver
"Vacillate" means to waver between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive and unable to choose. Its closest synonym is "Waver" — to be undecided between two opinions or courses of action; to hesitate. Decide, Resolve, and Settle all imply making a firm decision — opposites of vacillating.
- SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Antonyms
What is the antonym of "Vacillate"?
Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Resolve
Meaning: vacillate = to waver, to keep changing one's mind *(डगमगाना, हिचकिचाना)*.
Its antonym must mean to settle firmly on one course.
resolve = to decide firmly, to make up one's mind *(दृढ़ निश्चय करना)* — the settled mind, the exact opposite of a wavering one.
Why the others are wrong.
• hesitate = to pause in doubt before acting *(झिझकना)* — a synonym of *vacillate*, not its antonym.
• dither = to fuss about nervously without deciding *(अनिर्णय की स्थिति में रहना)* — again a synonym.
• fluctuate = to rise and fall irregularly *(उतार-चढ़ाव होना)* — the same swinging idea, normally used of prices and figures.
*Vacillate is from Latin vacillare, “to sway” — three options sway along with it, - SSC CGL 2023 T-1 One Word Substitution
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given phrase.
Waver between different opinions or actionsAnswer & explanation
Answer: B) Vacillate
Answer: b) Vacillate
Solution:
• The word vacillate means to waver between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive.
• Viaduct is a type of bridge.
• Thrifty means careful with money.
• Sway means to influence or move back and forth, but vacillate better captures the sense of indecision.
vacillate – to hesitate or waver – दुविधा में रहना / झिझकना
viaduct – a long bridge – पुल
thrifty – economical, careful with money – मितव्ययी
sway – to influence or move side to side – प्रभावित करना / झूमना
Examples
- “He vacillated between the two job offers.”
vacillate – questions
What is the meaning of vacillate in Hindi?
vacillate means “हिचकिचाना, डगमगाना” in Hindi. In English: To waver between different opinions or actions
What are the synonyms of vacillate?
Synonyms of vacillate: waver, hesitate, fluctuate, dither.
What is the opposite of vacillate?
Antonyms of vacillate: decide, commit.
Has vacillate been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – vacillate has been asked 4 times in SSC exams: SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC CHSL 2025 T-1, SSC CGL 2023 T-1, SSC CHSL 2020 T-1.