waver

¹wa·ver

intransitive verb \ˈwā-vər\

wa·veredwa·ver·ing \ˈwāv-riŋ, ˈwā-və-riŋ\

Definition of WAVER

1

: to vacillate irresolutely between choices : fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction

2

a : to weave or sway unsteadily to and fro : reel, totter

b : quiver, flicker <wavering flames>

c : to hesitate as if about to give way : falter

3

: to give an unsteady sound : quaver

— wa·ver·er \ˈwā-və-rər\ noun

— wa·ver·ing·ly \ˈwāv-riŋ-lē, ˈwā-və-\ adverb

Examples of WAVER

1. people who are still wavering between the two candidates
2. They never wavered in their support for their leader.
3. Despite the changes, he did not waver from his plan to retire.
4. The kite wavered in the wind.

Origin of WAVER

Middle English; akin to Old English wǣfre restless, wafian to wave with the hands — more at wave

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to WAVER

Synonyms

balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, hesitate, wobble (also wabble)

Antonyms

dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words

haw, hem; dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait; back down, chicken (out); consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh; oscillate, sway; equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle

Near Antonyms

decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

See Synonym Discussion at swing, hesitate

Rhymes with WAVER

caver, claver, favor, flavor, graver, haver, laver, quaver, raver, saver, savor, shaver, slaver, waiver

²waver

noun

Definition of WAVER

: an act of wavering, quivering, or fluttering

First Known Use of WAVER

1519

³wav·er

noun \ˈwā-vər\

Definition of WAVER

: one that waves

First Known Use of WAVER

1835