Synonyms of waver

waver 1 of 5

verb (1)

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 5

noun (1)

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

wavering

3 of 5

noun (2)

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

• hesitation
• hesitancy
• hesitance
• pause
• indecision
• delay
• vacillation
• faltering
• wobbling
• irresolution
• uncertainty
• fence-sitting
• deliberation
• waiting
• shilly-shallying
• doubt
• shilly-shally
• indecisiveness
• reluctance
• hawing
• incertitude
• procrastination
• debate
• consideration
• second thought
• indetermination
• unwillingness
• timidity
• misgiving
• avoidance
• arrière-pensée
• indisposition
• faintheartedness
• equivocation
• uncertainness
• disinclination
• aversion
• timidness
• shyness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• determination
• resolution
• confidence
• certainty
• firmness
• certitude
• readiness
• decisiveness
• sureness
• resoluteness
• eagerness
• alacrity

wavering

4 of 5

adjective

as in uncertain

Related Words

• uncertain
• irresolute
• unsure
• ambivalent
• faltering
• wobbly
• questioning
• conflicted
• indecisive
• vacillating
• undecided
• skeptical
• infirm
• halting
• doubtful
• insecure
• diffident
• unenthusiastic
• reluctant
• hesitant
• loath
• uneager
• disinclined
• reticent
• cagey
• indisposed
• dubious

Dissimilar Words

• resolute
• decided
• decisive
• unquestioning
• determined
• confident
• certain
• positive
• sanguine
• sure
• assured
• convinced
• willing
• ready
• self-assured
• inclined
• disposed

wavering

5 of 5

verb (2)

present participle of waver

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

• hesitating
• faltering
• vacillating
• dithering
• debating
• waiting
• halting
• balancing
• teetering
• wobbling
• hanging back
• staggering
• swaying
• pausing
• lingering
• scrupling
• shilly-shallying
• delaying
• pondering
• hawing
• procrastinating
• weighing
• hemming
• deliberating
• dawdling
• waffling
• oscillating
• backing down
• equivocating
• dallying
• considering
• chickening (out)
• hedging
• pussyfooting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deciding
• plunging (in)
• continuing
• stirring
• diving (in)
• advancing
• budging

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

• faltering
• trembling
• wobbling
• shaking
• rocking
• shuddering
• tottering
• lurching
• vibrating
• quivering
• teetering
• floundering
• quaking
• stumbling
• quavering
• reeling
• toddling
• staggering
• weaving
• careening

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

Trump has wavered on the issue, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said that the strait must return to being an open and free waterway. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026

That confidence began to waver in 2019, when the United States did not respond to an attack on Saudi oil refineries attributed to Iran, and again when Houthi drone strikes hit the UAE in 2022. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

Ocando advises looking for a waver with adjustable temperature settings, ceramic or ionic barrels, and a grip on the top of the tool, which gives you better control while styling. — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 18 Mar. 2026

When those practitioners are taken away from patients, our pluck and determination waver. — Mindy Uhrlaub, STAT, 16 Mar. 2026

Noun

Throughout it all, Senate Democrats stood united — no wavering, no backing down. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

There would be no wavering of any kind on my part this time. — Patrick Albanese As Told To Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 22 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Music is the focal point of each service, with Jeffrey playing guitar and keyboards behind the curtain, singing in a wavering voice reminiscent of Jeff Mangum about the subjects, ideas and feelings that have occupied his mind at various stages of his life. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

But by the time the Trojans had gotten into the pressures of February, the optimism was wavering. — Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026

Verb

But fans are wavering with Eli Raridon off to the NFL, even with Cooper Flanagan returning and five-star freshman Ian Premer enrolling. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 June 2026

There wasn't any attention wavering out there. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026