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Glite Dictionary
🤔 To be unsure 🌬️ To shake or sway ⏸️ A hesitation
to waver

to waver

12 4.8
To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way
  • verb
  • /ˈweɪvər/
translation icon : temblar
  • For weeks after Andzia's departure, he wavered between rage and depression, dragging himself to work like an automaton.
  • the voice wavered
  • the light wavered
  • the flame wavered

It came out of the gathering darkness wavered tragically for a moment and then disappear around next Ben.

Examples

  • A few candles guttered and dripped on some of the tables, casting wavering shadows around the room.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • On the water's surface, the image of the trees began to waver with each ripple.

  • Bagratian's men began to waver and then retreat.

  • I remembered how his writing had wavered across the page.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • "Can you hear me now?" The face in the screen wavered and faded.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • A lone figure appears on the horizon, wavering like a mirage.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • An airplane buzzes overhead, hidden by branches, burrs of butternuts clustered, leaves wavering in the wind.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The candle's flame began to waver as the wind blew through the open window.

  • As the athlete approached the finish line, his legs started to waver from exhaustion.

Synonyms

to shake
vsto waver
916 1.0

To move quickly from side to side or up and down

is usually gentler, implying an unsteady, trembling motion rather than forceful shaking
to tremble
vsto waver
164 2.5

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

is more general, including unsteady motion beyond involuntary causes
to shiver
vsto waver
115 1.2

To shake slightly because of cold, fear or excitement

is not limited to specific causes and covers any unsteady trembling motion
to vibrate
vsto waver
91 2.8

To make very small, quick moves back and forth

is not limited to fast small motions and can be slower or larger
to shudder
vsto waver
85 3.7

To shake suddenly because you feel cold, afraid, or very upset

is usually milder, indicating unsteady trembling rather than sudden intense shaking
to sway
vsto waver
77 2.4

To move slowly from side to side in a gentle rhythm

is less rhythmic and often means trembling or unstable slow side movement
to flicker
vsto waver
60 3.6

Move or shine in quick unsteady ways

focuses on unsteady motion broadly, not only light or shine changes
to quiver
vsto waver
47 4.5

To shake in small, quick movements because of fear, cold, or excitement

is broader, covering unsteady or wavering motion not only quick shakes
to wobble
vsto waver
40 3.8

To move or shake unsteadily from side to side

covers irregular motion too but also includes trembling and swaying broadly
to flutter
vsto waver
35 3.5

To move quickly and lightly back and forth, like wings or leaves

is typically heavier, suggesting unsteady trembling rather than light fluttering
to falter
vsto waver
4 5.6

To move or lean in a way that looks like it might fall

is focused on steady unsteady motion rather than hesitant weakness in movement
to quaver
vsto waver
3 8.1

To make a voice or note sound shaky from nerves

also covers trembling sounds but applies to objects and people too
to jitter
vsto waver
2 4.6

To shake or move quickly because you are nervous

is less about nervousness and more about general unsteady trembling
to shimmy
vsto waver
1 7.4

To shake slightly with quick movements

is broader, including both rhythmic and irregular trembling motions
to flitter
vsto waver
1 6.9

To move quickly and lightly, like a small bird or moth

is more general and can describe larger or slower unsteady movement
to judder
vsto waver
  • UK
1 8.4

Shake quickly and strongly, often making a loud noise

is generally gentler, describing unsteady trembling without intense noise
to wabble
vsto waver
8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is a wider term that includes this irregular side motion among others
to wamble
vsto waver
  • Archaic
9.9

To move unsteadily while rolling from side to side

is broader, covering trembling and unsteady motions not only weaving rolls
to librate
vsto waver
9.9

Move back and forth a little before stopping

is broader, applying to ongoing unsteady motion not only final oscillation
to didder
vsto waver
  • Archaic
9.9

To shake slightly, often because of cold or strong feeling

is more general, covering trembling or swaying beyond nervous tremors

Antonyms

to steady
41 3.4

To make yourself or something stop moving

Phrasal Verbs

to waver in
3 6.6

To feel unsure about making a decision or taking action

Compounds

flag-waver
  • Offensive
7.9

A person who shows strong support for their country often in aggressive ways

New Waver
9.9

A film director who uses the style and ideas of the New Wave

How Unsteady

to reel
16 4.6
shake
55 1.8
to waver
12 4.8
to tremble
164 2.5
to quiver
47 4.5

Surface Forms

waver infinitive
wavered past
wavered past participle
wavering present participle
wavers third person singular

Morphology

waver = wave (transparent) = wave + er

This sense follows the physical idea of moving in an unsteady, wave-like way, so the connection to 'wave' is fairly direct.

Etymology

Waver comes from the old word wave, which meant 'to move back and forth', giving the picture of a flag or light that shakes in the wind. So when a sound, signal, or person wavers, it moves or trembles and becomes unsteady.