waver

1 of 3

verb

wa·​ver ˈwā-vər 

wavered; wavering

ˈwāv-riŋ,

ˈwā-və-riŋ 

intransitive verb

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

waverer

ˈwā-və-rər 

noun

waveringly

ˈwāv-riŋ-lē

ˈwā-və- 

adverb

waver

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an act of wavering, quivering, or fluttering

waver

3 of 3

noun (2)

wav·​er ˈwā-vər 

: one that waves

Synonyms

Verb

• hesitate
• falter

Choose the Right Synonym for waver

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty.

hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

Examples of waver in a Sentence

Verb

people who are still wavering between the two candidates

They never wavered in their support for their leader.

Despite the changes, he did not waver from his plan to retire.

The kite wavered in the wind.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Their average rotation age was among the youngest ever for a champion, and yet their composure never wavered under the bright lights. —Okla Jones, Essence, 23 June 2025

Brendan McDermid | Reuters Stock futures wavered before Monday’s session as the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran spiked oil prices and raised investors’ concerns about the global economy. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 June 2025

Noun

Salary negotiation remains challenging for many professionals, particularly when confidence wavers or self-doubt creeps in. —Kara Dennison, Sphr, Cprw, Ec, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

The sheer ease of Jacobs-Jenkins’s writing drives the headlong rush of the first act, but in the unbalanced second half his technique wavers. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1519, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing waver

• flag-waver

Rhymes for waver

• aver
• braver
• craver
• favor
• favour
• flavor
• flavour
• graver
• paver
• quaver
• raver
• saver

Kids Definition

waver

verb

wa·​ver

ˈwā-vər

wavered; wavering

ˈwāv-(ə-)riŋ

1

: to go back and forth between choices

2

: to weave or sway to and fro

3

: to move unsteadily

waverer

ˈwā-vər-ər

noun