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

• balance
• dither
• falter
• halt
• hang back
• hesitate
• scruple
• shilly-shally
• stagger
• teeter
• vacillate
• wobble
• wabble

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

And classical music stages, where Russia was long a moneymaking destination, have also wavered. —Ben Miller, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2023

Our passionate support has not wavered and will continue until the last minute of SD Loyal soccer has been played. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2023

His confidence has not wavered, though, based both on those quarterbacks’ performance in the present and the lessons of the past. —Nathan Baird, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2023

Returning to school was tough — she was bullied about her hair — but her passion to become a doctor never wavered. —Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023

Read full article For Jones, the confidence in his own abilities hasn’t wavered. —Conor Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2023

While England had entered the tournament as one of the odds-on favorites, Spain never wavered in their dominance throughout the match. —Justin Klawans, The Week, 20 Aug. 2023

Pittman and running backs coach Jimmy Smith, the Hogs' lead recruiter for Russell, never wavered in their pursuit of him and that stuck with him. —Richard Davenport, Arkansas Online, 15 July 2023

The series’ fan base has not wavered in its devotion. —Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2023

Noun

Good news: it can easily be achieved with the help of a hair waver. —Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 8 Aug. 2023

Yet at the company’s boardroom showdown, as the members vote, Shiv wavers, and can’t bring herself to go through with it. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Aug. 2023

Flag wavers would be like NHL, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada . . . —Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2023

As her King George descends further into something akin to madness, her ruthless facade wavers. —Lauren Puckett-Pope, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 May 2023

But whether his products are installed in Nolita or Notting Hill, Hendifar’s starting point never wavers. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2023

Priced from $10 to $75, the brand’s debut collection includes hair styling clips, zig zag headbands, a detangling brush, neoprene cases and organizers, a puffy tote bag and a 1.25-inch triple-barrel hair waver. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2023

Can people with shorter hair use a hair waver? —elle.com, 7 Apr. 2023

The red flag-waver was supposed to be way ahead of the upcoming car. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 29 June 2022

See More

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

• flag-waver

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