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

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

Bolloré and Bonnassies’s arguments are more likely to shore up the faith of wavering believers than to win new converts. —Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Friends of Rubio say his stance and the underlying goal of a free Cuba has never wavered and continue to serve as his personal and political compass. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 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

The path out of the pending partial shutdown is unclear, with neither side showing much indication of wavering. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 13 Feb. 2026

There were reports of Palace’s interest in Strand Larsen wavering towards the end of last week, but senior sources at Elland Road, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, never sensed that deal would collapse entirely. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026