1
as in hesitates
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
he's still wavering about whether to take the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in falters
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of wavers
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Throughout, the depth and quality of Sullivan’s attention to prosaic detail—even plain and unappealing objects—never wavers.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Despite the Eagles offense being inconsistent, her Philly pride never wavers.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Yet the funding, energy, and capabilities of the democratic alliance have declined as the institutions of the liberal order lose their potency and the conviction of remaining members wavers.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The 16th-century adventurer, who first circumnavigated the globe by sea in 1522, wavers beneath the pressure of his pursuit, ultimately leading his men to mutiny and madness on the Malay Archipelago.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 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
Brayden Yager appears to be the opposite of that — a centreman whose all-around game should be enough to win NHL minutes even if his offence wavers at the pro level.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
In season two, based on the nine of 15 total episodes provided to critics, the restraint wavers and the balance begins to tilt.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Throughout, the depth and quality of Sullivan’s attention to prosaic detail—even plain and unappealing objects—never wavers.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Despite the Eagles offense being inconsistent, her Philly pride never wavers.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Yet the funding, energy, and capabilities of the democratic alliance have declined as the institutions of the liberal order lose their potency and the conviction of remaining members wavers.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The 16th-century adventurer, who first circumnavigated the globe by sea in 1522, wavers beneath the pressure of his pursuit, ultimately leading his men to mutiny and madness on the Malay Archipelago.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 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
Brayden Yager appears to be the opposite of that — a centreman whose all-around game should be enough to win NHL minutes even if his offence wavers at the pro level.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wavers
Verb
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The Broncos’ wide receivers had four drops in the first half, and BSU failed twice on fourth down when going for it, something Danielson seldom hesitates to do.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Nov. 2025
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In the final scene, Lee hesitates for a moment before letting Stella choose.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For instance, the show’s portrayal of larger-bodied characters falters, particularly given that body shame is one of its central critiques.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Brown is likely a lock unless his usual consistency falters in the long program on Saturday.—
Lillian Karabaic,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Shoals of red-toothed triggerfish, radiant in cobalt blue, gathered by large rocks covered in purple anemones.—
Gisela Williams,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Over the next two weeks, these shifts could start to be felt in North America, Europe and Asia as the polar vortex weakens and tumbles south, like a spinning top that slows and wobbles off course.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
19 Nov. 2025
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And the resulting 35-yard field goal try — a six-inch gimmie putt in the modern NFL — wobbles wide right.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Head to any tennis court to try to get some swings in and one’s sure to see plenty of people playing pickleball, a combination of badminton, ping pong and tennis that sees players swing small paddles on a short court.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s not much to quibble with in the market’s to-and-fro oscillations among sectors and themes so far.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
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Casimir said the plates would act as a kind of guillotine for the electromagnetic field, chopping off long-wavelength oscillations in a way that would skew the zero-point energy.—
George Musser,
Quanta Magazine,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For designs, water and air motifs also fit this time, as Aquarius, although an air sign, is symbolized by waves.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
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In two waves conducted in 2022 and, again, in 2025, the researchers used various archaeological and computerized imaging techniques to resurface the lost messages.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Sticks, staff, swords, sabers, whips or scepters including extendable items.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
22 Dec. 2025
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Prayer mats lie next to heavy artillery; smoke billows from parked whips; backstabbers get cut first.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wavers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wavers. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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