NYT Dictionary
VACILLATE
/ˈvæ.sə.leɪt/VerbVAC-il-latevac-il-late · 3 syllablesGrade 10
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
From Latin vacillātum, supine form of vacillō (“sway, waver”). By surface analysis, Latin vacill- + -ate.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: