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

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
My resolve, however, has never been greater, my desire for justice has never wavered, and most importantly, my love for Gannon will never fail. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 For locals, however, the focus has been on quickly picking up the pieces, without wavering in their welcoming spirit. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
The European Central Bank is offering liquidity to other central banks, reinforcing euro diplomacy as trust in the US financial system wavers. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 18 Feb. 2026 Never once did their belief waver under Vrabel, a credit to his culture and coaching. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 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, ProPublica, 14 Jan. 2026 However, the projections being made insinuate some potential wavering on his side. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Adjective
In his new role, Jejurikar will be tasked with driving sales performance amid a wavering global market. Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025 Stocco said in a wavering voice. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Still, the market was wavering on whether AI would be the company's friend or foe. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026 At one vortex, there’s 18th century composer Antonio Salieri, wavering between piety and murderous peevishness. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waver
Adjective
  • Traditionally reliant on French institutional funding, the event now confronts an uncertain future as Mali’s military government severs ties with its former colonial overlord.
    Smooth Nzewi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Security fears If Iran keeps control of the Strait of Hormuz, investors would continue to view the trade chokepoint as dangerous and uncertain.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Where Trump is unrelenting and single-minded, the justices have been inconsistent and unpredictable, and therefore appear irresolute.
    Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
  • Downtown, in his studio at the corner of White and Cortlandt Alley, on a Thursday evening in late July, Wyeth sat on his stool and considered the irresolute underpainting on his canvas.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Louise had always felt unsure of how to interact with the eldest daughter.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Kelly Wachel, the district’s chief communications officer, told The Star that Park Hill is unsure what a second, broader limit to property tax revenue could mean for their schools if approved by voters.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This ambivalent speech is contrasted with the severe consequences of AI when Steyerl interviews an Iraqi journalist who was the subject of a drone attack, along with two colleagues who did not survive.
    Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
  • But nutritionists have been ambivalent about the dangers of eating eggs.
    Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The faltering fiction offered here certainly doesn’t justify 10 episodes, the runtimes of which range from about 35 minutes to nearly an hour.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Draghi’s report highlights several reasons why Europe’s competitiveness is faltering.
    Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Also helping out on Wednesday were Paul Goldschmidt, who clubbed a three-run homer off George Kirby in the sixth inning, and Ben Rice, who smoked a solo shot in the ninth after and before some wobbly work from Yankees relievers Camilo Doval and David Bednar.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Simple adjustments—such as using non‑slip mats, providing low‑entry litter boxes and creating easy access to food and water—can make daily routines much easier for a wobbly cat.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And that’s exactly where the Heat finds itself — for a second consecutive year — leaving its fans in something of a conflicted position as the season’s final days play out.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Yet the murals remain a singularly ambitious attempt to map American life, past and present, exposing the fault lines in conflicted visions of national history and identity.
    John P. Murphy, ARTnews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Etiquette neither knows nor cares who is generous and who is stingy, and indecisive and rude are not opposites.
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Cut yourself some slack at work today because there is a Moon Alert all day, which makes things hazy and indecisive.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waver. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

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