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
The Bulls never wavered from that ethos. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026 Prices have wavered since then, and gold’s value hovered below $5,200 an ounce on March 6. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Start your style by misting your hair with medium-hold hairspray and hitting it with a crimping waver (like the Best of Beauty Award-winning GHD Wave). Marci Robin, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025 Advertisement While Mun-ju wavers in her aspiration to become the next president of Korea across the series’ nine episodes, Jung knew a commitment to that goal would be the character’s ending point. Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
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
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 Or, maybe, our first night of vigil for Alex Jeffery Pretti, will be a kind of wavering candlelight in the deep, dark moral and ethical power outage that is America, for so many near and far. Ed Bok Lee, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waver
Adjective
  • Outline your plans carefully, because regular progress should feel better than chasing an uncertain finish line.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Iran’s uncertain future is also central to the equation shifting in favor of IMEC.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Mar. 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
  • While there have been repatriation flights organized for South Africans, the couple did not pursue that avenue, being unsure of whether the government could — or would — assist in evacuating two citizens who live outside outside the country.
    Blane Bachelor, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Staff were unsure what food items on the steam table line were on time control.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Most are, at best, ambivalent about pedestrians.
    Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The Kurds are ambivalent about joining and view their role as that of a bridge.
    Felice Friedson, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That change eventually happened in the technical area, with Igor Tudor replacing Frank, but the coach with a reputation for breathing new life into faltering clubs on the continent is having no such impact in north London.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • First-time nominee Jordan could ride this wave in a now wide-open Best Actor race, as Timothée Chalamet has been faltering.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Brewing economic conditions suggest, however, that when Warsh takes office, presumably in May, central bank policymakers could be facing both a wobbly jobs picture and sticky inflation made worse by spiraling energy prices.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Those athletic legs might get a little wobbly.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Although defined by his anti-war activism, McDonald would acknowledge conflicted feelings about Vietnam.
    Hillel Italie, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Rooster co-creator Bill Lawrence knows a thing or two about placing a funny-but-conflicted character into the center of a strong ensemble.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Sometimes friends are indecisive or even anxious about planning.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Hopefully, with Wilson and Hopkinson in situ, Newcastle will not allow this situation to turn into another indecisive mess.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waver. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

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