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
  • Zendaya and Domingo do great, resonant work, but even their empathetic portraits of suffering people can’t make this strange coda cohere.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 1 June 2026
  • The track, which is the resonant chime of the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok, blends with the room's spatial stillness and imagery, setting the experience in motion.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 31 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
  • There’s also a powerful multi-arpeggiator for creating complex rhythmic and melodic lines.
    Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 26 May 2026
  • The ballad’s main features include a basic verse/chorus structure, slow tempo, lyrical melodic lines, rich harmonies, and accompaniment that support those melodies.
    Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 22 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
  • After Ukrainian rhythmic gymnasts Sofiia Krainska and Varvara Chubarova protested the Russian and Belarusian anthems at this week’s European Championships, the UGF has issued a call for global action.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
  • There’s also a powerful multi-arpeggiator for creating complex rhythmic and melodic lines.
    Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 26 May 2026
Adjective
  • This decision unfortunately led to more jokes and tongue planted firmly in cheek (akin to the slapstick reshooting of Superman II by Richard Lester for a more child-appealing and less ambitious approach than Richard Donner’s own Superman II footage before he was fired from the project).
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • While the image of oysters on a sunny summer patio is appealing, Jackson says the best ones come from late October through March, when the water is at its coldest.
    Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Quavering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quavering. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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