vacillatingly

This adverb describes a state of mental instability or wavering, often conveying a sense of anxiety or lack of confidence. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts to describe the manner in which someone speaks, looks, or acts when they are torn between competing desires or choices.

Because it is derived from the verb "vacillate," the word carries a connotation of rhythmic oscillation—shifting back and forth—rather than a simple, static state of confusion. It suggests a process of deciding and then immediately doubting that decision.