quavering 1 of 2

Definition of quaveringnext

quavering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of quaver
as in trilling
to sing with the alternation of two musical tones know-it-alls snickered as the opera singer quavered on the high note

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quavering
Adjective
Unmoored from tradition and offering only vague, impressionistic lyrics, Granli’s quavering performances on Rosacea become Rorschach tests, ripe for free association with whatever images your psyche can dredge up. H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
The governor, Tim Walz, defeated for the Vice Presidency, gets on TV, his voice quavering, saying the right things, speaking the truth, and advising courage. Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 The combination of quavering flutes and solemn, unfamiliar corridors is disquieting. Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025 Funke, her voice quavering throughout, recounted the events of the previous night. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025 Her voice quavering with emotion, Pawol talked about getting the news during a Wednesday conference call with director of umpire development Rich Rieker and vice president of umpire operations Matt McKendry. Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quavering
Adjective
  • When all six are in tune with each other, the chord your life makes is full and resonant and true.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
  • The filmmaker rarely lingers, making brief moments of grace — like Gabrielle peeking in at her mom and stepdad taking a nap — all the more resonant for their evanescence.
    Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • In a now-viral clip, Carpenter overheard someone from the crowd trilling during her set for Weekend 1 and asked if the audience member was yodeling.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Sounds of loud trilling shouts after silent hunts, and singing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The pacing is erratic and the sonorous voice-over narration doesn’t help either.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
  • Metals are particularly sonorous, as anyone who has been around toddlers (and pots and pans) can testify.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Nine’s creaking, warbling cadence makes for a Thug/Carti hybrid that’s distinct but still close enough to be familiar and palatable.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The song may be six minutes long, but the circuitous lope of his acoustic-guitar strum and low throb of his warbling feel eternal, like the type of tune Sisyphus might have hummed to keep himself company.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The campaign unfolds as a romantic American pop star fantasy, where soft vintage femininity meets Western Americana and melodic storytelling.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
  • Tracks may start with classy piano, but subtlety is almost never the end product; the group wields sidechains like a bandolier, extracting the maximum possible velocity in every kick while retaining the gooey melodic centre.
    Nathan Evans, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • The dulcet tones of that thick Irish accent are perfectly intelligible over the phone, THR puts to him.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • Wishing you a week of dulcet tones, giddy resistance, and a thousand pancakes.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The festival also features a Junkanoo Parade, which features street performance filled with vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumming, horns, and cowbells.
    Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • In Tracy Arm, this rhythmic surging continued for over 24 hours.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Briefly elevated into an unlikely attraction, he is soon displaced by a more appealing performer and becomes consumed by the need to reclaim that fleeting sense of being seen.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2026
  • None of it is particularly politically appealing.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Quavering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quavering. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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