wavered; wavering
ˈwāv-riŋ,
ˈwā-və-riŋ
1
: to vacillate irresolutely between choices : fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction
2
3
: to give an unsteady sound : quaver
Synonyms
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
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
Does this mean the stock market will fall sharply when those leaders inevitably waver?
—Bill Stone, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The characters’ personalities and motivations seem to shift with the needs of the plot, so that Nell wavers between jaded and naïve from episode to episode, or Thomas spills a deeply personal secret to Rasselas for no apparent reason.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024
Kern's prepared remarks spanned four minutes and wavered between criticism of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes — who is investigating the electors — and promoting his run for Congress.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
In the face of wavering Western support, the Ukrainians emphasized their self-reliance and innovation.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Or add votes for him by Democrats who might have been wavering?
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024
But in the face of wavering Western support for Ukraine and an uncertain U.S. election, the alliance has been using these war games to suss out and strengthen its shortfalls.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2024
But eight years on, AB InBev’s hold on the beer industry has wavered.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024
Both stars were in attendance at the festival alongside their director amid the ongoing Hollywood strikes after having received a waver from SAG-AFTRA.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2023
The boys, in their adolescent confusion and awakening, waver between the impulse to save and the impulse to hurt.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024
The announcement coincides with the launch of a new and incredibly innovative tool, The Power Bottom, which allows users to interchange 3 different heat tools (a waver tool, a curling wand, and a curling iron) with 1 power base.
—Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Crafted from ceramic metal, this waver not only prevents heat damage but also ensures a gentler touch on your hair.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile a frail little boy is slowly dying of consumption, doubts arise about Zosima’s sanctity, and Alyosha’s faith wavers.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2023
Attendance wavers; the biggest attracted around 60.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Dec. 2023
Kremlin leader seeks to turn advantage in manpower and munitions into battlefield progress, while Western will and assistance for Kyiv waver
KYIV, Ukraine—As Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its third year, Moscow holds the advantage on the military, political and economic fronts.
—Marcus Walker, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
Verb
Aston Martin’s confidence in its electrification strategy appears to be wavering.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
Does this mean the stock market will fall sharply when those leaders inevitably waver?
—Bill Stone, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The characters’ personalities and motivations seem to shift with the needs of the plot, so that Nell wavers between jaded and naïve from episode to episode, or Thomas spills a deeply personal secret to Rasselas for no apparent reason.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024
Kern's prepared remarks spanned four minutes and wavered between criticism of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes — who is investigating the electors — and promoting his run for Congress.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
In the face of wavering Western support, the Ukrainians emphasized their self-reliance and innovation.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Or add votes for him by Democrats who might have been wavering?
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024
But in the face of wavering Western support for Ukraine and an uncertain U.S. election, the alliance has been using these war games to suss out and strengthen its shortfalls.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2024
But eight years on, AB InBev’s hold on the beer industry has wavered.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
In just a matter of hours, Hugo shifts between an array of tasks, serving as a baby kisser, flag waver, liaison, waiter and a pregame hype person to name a few.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024
Both stars were in attendance at the festival alongside their director amid the ongoing Hollywood strikes after having received a waver from SAG-AFTRA.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2023
The boys, in their adolescent confusion and awakening, waver between the impulse to save and the impulse to hurt.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024
The announcement coincides with the launch of a new and incredibly innovative tool, The Power Bottom, which allows users to interchange 3 different heat tools (a waver tool, a curling wand, and a curling iron) with 1 power base.
—Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Crafted from ceramic metal, this waver not only prevents heat damage but also ensures a gentler touch on your hair.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile a frail little boy is slowly dying of consumption, doubts arise about Zosima’s sanctity, and Alyosha’s faith wavers.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2023
Attendance wavers; the biggest attracted around 60.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Dec. 2023
Kremlin leader seeks to turn advantage in manpower and munitions into battlefield progress, while Western will and assistance for Kyiv waver
KYIV, Ukraine—As Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its third year, Moscow holds the advantage on the military, political and economic fronts.
—Marcus Walker, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of waver was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing waver
Dictionary Entries Near waver
Cite this Entry
“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waver. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
noun
ˈwā-vər-ər
More from Merriam-Webster on waver
Nglish: Translation of waver for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of waver for Arabic Speakers
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