waver

1 of 3

verb

wa·​ver ˈwā-vər How to pronounce waver (audio)
wavered; wavering
ˈwāv-riŋ,
ˈwā-və-riŋ How to pronounce waver (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to vacillate irresolutely between choices : fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction
2
a
: to weave or sway unsteadily to and fro : reel, totter
b
: quiver, flicker
wavering flames
c
: to hesitate as if about to give way : falter
3
: to give an unsteady sound : quaver
waverer noun
waveringly
ˈwāv-riŋ-lē
ˈwā-və- How to pronounce waver (audio)
adverb

waver

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an act of wavering, quivering, or fluttering

waver

3 of 3

noun (2)

wav·​er ˈwā-vər How to pronounce waver (audio)
: one that waves
Choose the Right Synonym for waver

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty.

hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

Examples of waver in a Sentence

Verb people who are still wavering between the two candidates They never wavered in their support for their leader. Despite the changes, he did not waver from his plan to retire. The kite wavered in the wind.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Earth’s magnetic field wavered, and living things were bombarded by cosmic rays, confounding the navigational senses of turtles and porpoises, which beached themselves en masse. Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Polling for the ballot measure shows support for the measure wavering; the Public Policy Institute of California found that 68% of likely voters supported the proposition in December while in February that number dropped down to 59%. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 The band’s biggest hits are bought and streamed regularly, and the American public has never wavered in its love for the group’s work – especially one compilation that is still on the rise today, despite the fact that it’s already been out for decades. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The film tells the story of a man of wavering religious conviction who dreams of a box of gold hidden in a cave. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 19 Feb. 2024 As companies’ commitments have wavered, DEI professionals have had their work challenged. Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2024 Yet a consistent, sustained effort has been elusive for USC this season, their defense wavering for the rest of the first half and the start of the second, Utah suddenly finding gaps for a couple of open 3-pointers and runs to the rim by Smith. Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2024 Trump's popularity in the state hasn't wavered since his 2016 bid, and polls − including an exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk University survey − showed him with a consistent and commanding 2-to-1 lead. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 At the same time, support for Ukraine is wavering in the U.S. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 24 Feb. 2024
Noun
Both stars were in attendance at the festival alongside their director amid the ongoing Hollywood strikes after having received a waver from SAG-AFTRA. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2023 The boys, in their adolescent confusion and awakening, waver between the impulse to save and the impulse to hurt. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 The announcement coincides with the launch of a new and incredibly innovative tool, The Power Bottom, which allows users to interchange 3 different heat tools (a waver tool, a curling wand, and a curling iron) with 1 power base. Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Crafted from ceramic metal, this waver not only prevents heat damage but also ensures a gentler touch on your hair. Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2023 Meanwhile a frail little boy is slowly dying of consumption, doubts arise about Zosima’s sanctity, and Alyosha’s faith wavers. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2023 Attendance wavers; the biggest attracted around 60. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Dec. 2023 Kremlin leader seeks to turn advantage in manpower and munitions into battlefield progress, while Western will and assistance for Kyiv waver KYIV, Ukraine—As Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its third year, Moscow holds the advantage on the military, political and economic fronts. Marcus Walker, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023 And in each medium, Laurencin’s weightless, floaty, femme aesthetic never wavers. Maggie Lange, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; akin to Old English wǣfre restless, wafian to wave with the hands — more at wave

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1519, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of waver was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near waver

Cite this Entry

“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waver. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

waver

verb
wa·​ver
ˈwā-vər
wavered; wavering
ˈwāv-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to go back and forth between choices
2
: to weave or sway to and fro
3
: to move unsteadily
waverer
ˈwā-vər-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on waver

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