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
  • That's part of why the brand is still so resonant, even for adults.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This year’s recipients have created stories that are deeply personal yet universally resonant, exploring themes of identity, connection, and belonging with honesty and nuance.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Apr. 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
  • Cloudy, reverberating bass mingles with sonorous, textural guitar loops courtesy of Mark Clifford, while Sarah Peacock’s spellbinding vocals ooze over the mix.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
  • The Ballet Orchestra, close to wrapping its 50th anniversary season, sounded especially sonorous in the score’s horn passages.
    Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 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
  • With her relentlessly melodic fourth album, Maitreya Corso (out today), Maya Hawke is starting to establish a sonic lane of her own, combining Aimee Mann-level musicality with hyper-literate, polygraph-test confessional lyrics.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
  • Staccato right here, melodic right here.
    New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The crowds had thinned, a table for lunch at the No Name Saloon was easy to acquire, and the dulcet tones of power tools filled the air as the Chase Sapphire Lounge was dismantled.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Wishing you a week of dulcet tones, giddy resistance, and a thousand pancakes.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • It’s powered by harmonic resonance technology, using rhythmic pulses to gently and effectively comb through knots.
    Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The novel delivers all the frenzy of a gold rush with rhythmic, hypnotic prose.
    Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In fourth grade, shortly after discovering online shopping, Mira found a cheap, appealing dress on Shein.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • The crisis is also making renewable energy more appealing and could speed up the decline of fossil fuels.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on quavering

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster