waver 1 of 5

Definition of wavernext

waver

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noun (1)

wavering

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noun (2)

wavering

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adjective

wavering

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verb (2)

present participle of waver

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
When attention wavers, Air-Guardian steps in. Tanya Eves, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 There wasn't any attention wavering out there. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
Noun
This pricing dynamic leaves little margin of safety if confidence wavers. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2026 Bear View: Bears identify a convergence of risks: FTC litigation, challenging tax season comparisons, and elevated valuations creating a significant downside risk should guidance waver. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
In this atmosphere, as ProPublica has reported, there’s been widespread wavering on water fluoridation, even in Michigan, where the treatment debuted more than 80 years ago. Anna Clark, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026 In this atmosphere, as ProPublica has reported, there’s been widespread wavering on water fluoridation, even in Michigan, where the treatment debuted more than 80 years ago. Anna Clark, ProPublica, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
But by the time the Trojans had gotten into the pressures of February, the optimism was wavering. Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026 Rarely wavering and never giving up. David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Porter also may have muddied the waters with progressive supporters by wavering on positions like minimum wage increases, overtime for farmworkers and her support for single-payer health insurance, according to Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions. Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 In the years since appearing on BGT, Boyle has stayed true to her hairstyle, wavering only slightly in length and color. Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for waver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waver
Verb
  • When King asked if the unnamed celebrity was the one, Brown didn't hesitate.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
  • The girls don’t hesitate to lay into him either with Trinity, Melanie, and Aniya all coming to Kenzie’s impassioned defense.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Brazobán faltered, however, allowing a walk and two hits, the last of which being a two-out RBI single by Trae Turner that put the Phillies up, 2-1.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • Can Andy Burnham make the tough choices to succeed where others have faltered?
    Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • In a real world sense of course that can’t possibly be true, but the world view of the Puritan religious leaders who founded the Connecticut River Colony in the 1630s still held sway in the late 18th century.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
  • Roberta Smith, the co-chief art critic of the New York Times, and Jerry Saltz, the art critic of New York magazine, are writers of sway, elegance, legend.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Each time the leaves trembled, the sunlight filtering through them also wavered.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Logic, curated by decades of precedent, suggested the 22-year-old might tremble at the growl of the aggressive, experienced Wolves.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Remove sticks, rocks, clumps, and other debris from the soil that can impede growth.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 June 2026
  • Booking internationally renowned rock and jazz bassist Doug Wimbish and his WimBash circle of musical collaborators exemplifies the Hartford Bonanza approach to showcasing locally rooted talent.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Hernández said Rossi Ydrogo had just called his brother in Caracas 20 minutes before the earth started to shake.
    Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • In Venezuela, rescue teams have been racing against the clock to pull survivors from the rubble after two powerful earthquakes shook the northern state of La Guaira last Wednesday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • The peak of the heat wave will be centered over Germany Saturday with many cities throughout the country expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius).
    Taylor Ward, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • Early on, news of the casino’s construction caused waves of controversy across Sonoma County — some of which resulted in death threats against Sarris’ life.
    Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • But things are starting to wobble.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Suddenly, the tent jerked and wobbled.
    Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waver. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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