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waver definition

wa·ver (wā′vər)

intransitive verb

  1. to swing or sway to and fro; flutter
  2. to show doubt or indecision; find it hard, or be unable, to decide; vacillate
  3. to become unsteady; begin to give way; falter
  4. to tremble; quaver: said of the voice, etc.
  5. to vary in brightness; flicker: said of light
  6. to fluctuate
  7. to totter

Etymology: ME waveren, freq. of waven, to wave

noun

the act of wavering, trembling, vacillating, etc.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

waver Synonyms

waver

v.

fluctuate, vacillate, hesitate, dillydally, seesaw, deliberate, reel, teeter, totter, hem and haw*, pause*, stagger.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

waver Usage Examples

Object

  • bit: But for some reason, we couldn't use it because, I think, maybe the tempo wavered a little bit.

Converse of object

  • do: At this, the politicians did waver slightly, but normal confidence was quickly restored.

Preposition: on

  • issue: So for those who are wavering on these issues let us work together to take a more ambitious, a more productive stand.

Modifying Another Word

  • never: In fact Nicholas never wavered in his support for the alliance.

Noun used with modifier

  • flag: The children were really impressed by the flag wavers who visited the school recently.

Used with why or when

  • when: You've got a dud in your hands if the line distorts or wavers when the lens is rotated slightly.

Preposition: in

  • face: Ben-Gurion's own commitment to statehood did not waver in the face of Arab opposition or British prevarications.

Preposition: for

  • moment: The shield seemed to waver for a moment, but the spell ended, and the shield recovered.
waver usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"waver." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/waver>

APA Style

waver. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/waver

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