waver 1 of 2

waver

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb waver differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of waver are falter, hesitate, and vacillate. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

Where would falter be a reasonable alternative to waver?

While the synonyms falter and waver are close in meaning, falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

When could hesitate be used to replace waver?

The words hesitate and waver are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When would vacillate be a good substitute for waver?

The synonyms vacillate and waver are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

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 waver
Verb
Bristol Myers Squibb shares dropped Thursday despite a solid quarterly beat and guidance raise, as Wall Street’s confidence wavers in the growth trajectory for schizophrenia treatment Cobenfy. Zev Fima, CNBC, 31 July 2025 In recent months, car companies have been navigating a delicate balancing act as demand wavers, making price hikes harder, while at the same time costs are set to rise. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 17 July 2025
Noun
Unable to attend the hearings to hear those words were Joan and Terry, the aging family matriarchs who have never wavered in their support, the cousins said. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 By the fourth quarter, the energy hadn’t wavered. Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for waver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waver
Verb
  • Some affirm its position; some hesitate to award it the stamp.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • With so many convenient destinations to choose from, there really is no reason to hesitate to put a Northern Lights trip on your calendar.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The industry also plans to mix hydrogen into its existing gas utility pipeline network, but those efforts have faltered amid local opposition.
    NPR, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
  • There has been optimism at times with this Cowboys team powered by the top offense in the NFL, but the defense continues to falter at the worst moments at crucial points in close games.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While the film versions of their work, most notably Babes in Arms starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, are considered classics, their stage productions do not hold the same sway in popular culture as those of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • As Boyle noted, Dak in particular is the player with perhaps the most leadership sway on how CU’s season turns out.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If the federal government is so large and powerful that the mightiest corporations in the world tremble at its slightest whim, what chance do ordinary individuals have when its angry gaze burns our way?
    Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Tucked under the Avignon train station, their barely 300-square-foot one-bedroom trembled each night as freight trains passed above.
    Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • People saw this strange-looking rock and tried to pick it up, but none could until this innocent little boy succeeded, delivering it to authorities.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The dudes-rock montage that followed the execution sketch had some genuinely funny bits.
    T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Whether the Canes can get to 10-2 will likely depend on if Beck can shake off his four-interception nightmare.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The new coach shook hands, smiled for cell phone pictures and signed posters for wave after wave of kids.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That appetite is driving a wave of cafe and restaurant openings, as young Saudis with higher disposable incomes and fewer social restrictions flock to public spaces where gender mixing was prohibited just five years ago.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Get the phones out — timed to the release of The Hollywood Reporter‘s 50 Hottest Influencers on the Planet list, THR hosted its Creators A-List Dinner on Wednesday to celebrate the viral stars making waves both online and in the real world.
    Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the opener of this series, Miller wobbled at first, then unplugged the raucous Rogers Centre on his way to a 3-1 victory.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Many Black mothers are primary breadwinners; when their income disappears, households wobble.
    Essence, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waver. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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