to quaver

Examples

• All

• "But Meg," I said, the uncertainty quavering in my voice, "why me?"

  Fiction book (1990)

• You can't bring a snake in," he said, his voice quavering only slightly.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Looking out the window, she said with a quavering voice, "You know, your father was never read to as a boy."

  Academic text (2005)

• "Damn bag broke again," she said, voice quavering slightly.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Putting her hand on her chest to still her thumping heart, she quavered, "What are you doing here?"

  Fiction book (1991)

• Then she would smile and clap her hands together and say in a quavering voice, "Thank you for remembering."

  Fiction book (2001)

• The burden wasn't heavy, but his face was pale and his voice quavered as he stepped forward.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Mr. Pete paused to wipe a frozen teardrop from one eye and continued in a wet, quavering voice.

  Fiction book (1995)

• In the moonlit silence, the child's voice is low, fearful, quavering with hope.

  Fiction book (1993)

• His voice began to quaver as he recounted the emotional story to the audience.

Synonyms

T

to tremble

vsto quaver

164 2.5

To shake slightly without control because of fear, cold, or worry

applies specifically to producing a shaken voice rather than bodily movement

W

to waver

vsto quaver

12 4.8

To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way

is specific to producing a shaky voice when singing or speaking

F

to falter

vsto quaver

4 5.4

To speak in a weak, broken voice because of strong feeling

focuses on a shaky or unstable sound rather than hesitant speech

Antonyms

S

to speak clearly

7 1.0

Say words so other people can easily understand you

How Shaky

shudder

20 4.1

to tremble

164 2.5

to quaver

3 8.1

waver

4 6.9

Surface Forms

Etymology