Synonyms of waver

waver 1 of 2

verb

ˈwā-vər 

1

as in to hesitate

to show uncertainty about the right course of action

he's still wavering about whether to take the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hesitate
• falter
• vacillate
• stagger
• dither
• scruple
• wait
• halt
• debate
• hang back
• teeter
• balance
• pause
• wobble
• sway
• linger
• shilly-shally
• delay
• haw
• ponder
• procrastinate
• dawdle
• oscillate
• hem
• weigh
• back down
• chicken (out)
• deliberate
• equivocate
• consider
• waffle
• hedge
• pussyfoot
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decide
• continue
• stir
• plunge (in)
• dive (in)
• budge
• advance

2

as in to falter

to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side

the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• falter
• tremble
• shake
• wobble
• shudder
• rock
• totter
• vibrate
• lurch
• quiver
• teeter
• stumble
• flounder
• quake
• stagger
• toddle
• quaver
• reel
• weave
• careen

waver

2 of 2

noun

as in sway

Related Words

• sway
• rock
• wave
• oscillation
• swing
• switch
• wag
• flutter
• whisk
• whip
• flap
• waggle
• swish
• twitch
• wiggle
• shake
• jolt
• jerk
• flick
• bob
• nod
• jiggle
• snap

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

Recent Examples of waver

Verb

Infantino has not wavered on Iran’s participation in the World Cup or in its matches in the United States. —Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

But even in those final months with an exit door looming and Denmark slipping into successive losses, Jeglertz never wavered in his character. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Noun

This pricing dynamic leaves little margin of safety if confidence wavers. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2026

As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026