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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 waver
Cathy Thomas, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a few wavers up and down.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Those wavering signals reflect the divisions within the Fed.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 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
Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for waver
Verb
For me, my palate wavers, but my favorite ingredient combinations often showcase some kind of cheese.
—Cathy Thomas, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a few wavers up and down.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
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
Verb
His beam wavered on a patch of blankness, or the corner of an amp, and then began to roam the stage in desperation, scanning here and scanning there—until, from the darkness, the voice of Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden’s singer, was heard.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 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
Noun
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
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
See All Example Sentences for waver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waver
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
Adjective
-
Instead of clarity and a sense of financial empowerment, individuals experience costly missteps and are left unsure of where to find reliable guidance—eroding any trust in the mainstream financial system.—
Sandy Anderson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
These cases have raised concerns about overzealous responses from companies, and left many companies unsure of how to proceed.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Club retailers still face pressure, though, including an uncertain job market and tariffs.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Much like the enthusiasm the upstart team has generated from those fans this season, their outlook toward an uncertain offseason was as positive as can be.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, during her life, Hagerty remained ambivalent about her brush with fame.—
Hannah Shirley,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Thanks to climate change, Cosmism’s ambivalent and generally hostile attitude towards the natural world should also sound familiar.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With the job market faltering and new tariffs adding uncertainty to the economy, futures markets are pricing in as many as two additional cuts — totaling 75 basis points — by the end of the year, according to the CME FedWatch tool, which tracks investor expectations for Fed policy.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Washington — The Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered interest rates for the first time since December to support America’s faltering labor market.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Some analysts express hope the Bay Area’s innovation economy can help steady the region’s wobbly job market, especially if cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence spark hiring in this region.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
And then last weekend against USF, Fitzgerald tracked down a wobbly pass from Byrum Brown, who was pressured by Akheem Mesidor, and came down with the ball in the second quarter.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Others feel conflicted, caught between wanting to stand on principle and wanting to support a Black woman who has worked tirelessly for her seat at the table.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In July, however, HHS said in a letter to liaisons that they were too conflicted to participate in the work groups.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Talking about struggles, both past and present, can make the conversation commonplace and combat some of the fear that may fester in an indecisive personality.—
Janine Schindler,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
And since this zodiac sign often has an indecisive personality, Sour Patch Kids are the perfect choice because there's no need to decide between sweet or sour.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waver. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share