as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
after a moment's wavering, she accepted his proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hesitating
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
he's still wavering about whether to take the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faltering
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in irresolute
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 wavering
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
However, Honda’s commitment was wavering, and German powerhouses Audi and Porsche were considering F1 entries.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Nix’s locker room, though, has no wavering faith in their young leader, as right tackle Mike McGlinchey emphasized.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
The court ruling, the NTP report and the wavering stance of federal agencies have empowered a backlash to fluoridation in state and local governments.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025
Chief among those hurdles this year, Eskelund said, is a wavering Chinese economy that has struggled to mount a robust rebound since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Those wavering signals reflect the divisions within the Fed.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
That’s particularly true at a time of economic volatility and wavering consumer sentiment.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
For the first time, his façade is wavering before Estelle’s eyes.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Record-shattering heat, billion-dollar storms and rising seas are unfolding as political pushback, misinformation and wavering international agreements threaten to stall climate progress.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Daniels worked day and night to address the needs of hundreds of families and parishioners, never wavering in his efforts to be a symbol of hope.
—Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Yet Harry appears to be wavering.
—Alexander Larman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Thank you forever, my love, for never wavering when the inevitable storms arise on our voyage together.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Putin emerged from Beijing’s bonhomie last week – discussing immortality with his main bankroller, President Xi Jinping, and sharing his limo with wavering US ally, Indian leader Narendra Modi – aware that China wanted to parade its own bloc, unbowed.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Industry leaders such as Denmark’s Orsted, Siemens Gamesa, and General Electric have been squeezed by rising component prices, high interest rates, and wavering government support.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Her question, in Lipe-Smith’s inquisitive piccolo of a voice, is heartbreaking in its blend of straightforwardness and desperate desire, as is her mother’s wavering response.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
However, Honda’s commitment was wavering, and German powerhouses Audi and Porsche were considering F1 entries.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Nix’s locker room, though, has no wavering faith in their young leader, as right tackle Mike McGlinchey emphasized.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
The court ruling, the NTP report and the wavering stance of federal agencies have empowered a backlash to fluoridation in state and local governments.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025
Chief among those hurdles this year, Eskelund said, is a wavering Chinese economy that has struggled to mount a robust rebound since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Those wavering signals reflect the divisions within the Fed.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
That’s particularly true at a time of economic volatility and wavering consumer sentiment.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
In June, Tehran paid the price for wavering, and the United States, for the first time in the nuclear era, struck the nuclear facilities of another state.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Between tariff policy back-and-forths, supplier negotiations, and wavering consumer demand, retailers’ pricing has been in flux.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
For the first time, his façade is wavering before Estelle’s eyes.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Record-shattering heat, billion-dollar storms and rising seas are unfolding as political pushback, misinformation and wavering international agreements threaten to stall climate progress.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Daniels worked day and night to address the needs of hundreds of families and parishioners, never wavering in his efforts to be a symbol of hope.
—Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Yet Harry appears to be wavering.
—Alexander Larman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Thank you forever, my love, for never wavering when the inevitable storms arise on our voyage together.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Putin emerged from Beijing’s bonhomie last week – discussing immortality with his main bankroller, President Xi Jinping, and sharing his limo with wavering US ally, Indian leader Narendra Modi – aware that China wanted to parade its own bloc, unbowed.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Industry leaders such as Denmark’s Orsted, Siemens Gamesa, and General Electric have been squeezed by rising component prices, high interest rates, and wavering government support.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wavering
Noun
-
As the title suggests, its cast was entirely composed of couples in which one party was ready to get hitched, and the other had hesitations.—
James Factora,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
-
However, lofty goals often lead to significant hesitation or avoidance.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even all-world corner Pat Surtain II didn’t have his best day, with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones not hesitating to go after him on routes over the middle.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Sep. 2025
-
As adults, this pattern can look like hesitating to ask for help, avoiding vulnerability or keeping emotional struggles private, even from those closest to you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Street is critical of Cornell for not initiating enough changes and corrections to improve Target’s business, which has been faltering for several seasons.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Lions moved to 2-1, while the Ravens are now 1-2 after faltering late in this game.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The situation is impossible, irresolute— the B.J. Vineses and priests of the world shouldn’t get to walk away scot free.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
12 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Christine, 53, now tells PEOPLE about her hesitancy to return to the series that made her family household names.—
Dory Jackson,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Educational research shows that spoken practice strengthens memory and reduces hesitancy more effectively than passive drills, which is why Airlearn places conversation at the core of its design.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As this section is still early on in the design phase, the leaders are unsure about how long the road will be shut down, if at all.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Oct. 2025
-
With Feyenoord’s defenders unsure whether to engage, Rogers had time and space to drive.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump has taken distinct interest in influencing the Fed, repeatedly criticizing Chair Jerome Powell over his hesitance to back lowering interest rates.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Chatter in the market revolved around the reasons for the downturn – rising competition from streaming platforms, consumer belt-tightening and hesitance on the part of investors and studios – as well as possible solutions.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Signs of life from defensive sectors and consumer cyclicals wobbling might suggest the market is more preoccupied with near-term downside macroeconomic risk, as we likely are headed into a government shutdown and an official-data vacuum.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Designed to reduce wobbling and provide additional support, the lightweight slip-ons boast the benefits of orthopedic shoes while looking far from them.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wavering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wavering. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share