WAVER Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

waver 1 of 2

verb

ˈwā-vər

Definition of waver next

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

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

waver

2 of 2

noun

as in sway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

In the days ahead of the Browns game, Huntley hadn’t wavered. —

C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025 Boards must stand visibly and without wavering behind their presidents, stand up to criticisms and resistance, and set clear timelines for needed change. —

David Rosowsky, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025

Noun

Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Digital 3-Barrel Hair Waver Save 41% on this crazy Cyber Monday beauty deal on the Hot Tools hair waver. —

Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024 Rather, as tensions rise and the United States’ commitment wavers, Washington should encourage the region to act like its counterparts elsewhere in the world and work to improve regional security on its own. —

Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2020 See all Example Sentences for waver

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waver

Verb

Such tools can be game-changers for individuals who, for any number of deeply human reasons, hesitate to seek care.

— Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
But in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal , Warren Buffett’s middle child Howard, who will eventually become Berkshire’s nonexecutive chairman, hesitated when asked about Berkshire’s future dividend policy.

— Yun Li, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2025