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

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

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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

Related 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

With a little distance from the debut, there was time to think about his parents’ sacrifices and their belief in him, including when his confidence wavered. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The second is a classic MAGA narrative gambit to convince wavering Trump voters, as well as high-profile Senate candidates who have begun to distance themselves from the war, that the United States is winning. — David Faris, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

The Chicago White Sox wand-waver, out for the season after Tommy John surgery, found himself in the middle of a heated debate with Detroit starter Tarik Skubal during the Tigers’ 4-3 win over the Sox on Friday at Comerica Park. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026 From that moment, Roosevelt's admiration for America's Civil War president never wanes or wavers. — Douglas Brinkley, USA Today, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for waver

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waver

Verb

Valkyria hesitated for a split second and Bayley took advantage.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Smear certainly finds Ides of March star Clooney, who never hesitates to put his politics and star power to work, and the rest of the cast stepping into some deep, murky and often digital waters.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

The Giants hope the more mobile McCarthy can spark a struggling running game that has faltered with Winston at quarterback.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Analysts noted that the brand was bucking trends among Chinese consumers, where most luxury brands have been faltering this quarter.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of falter

Verb

But now, the occupation seems to tremble before Palestinian children holding paper and string.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Those afflicted would tremble and jerk around, lose the ability to stand or swallow, and, after many months of slow suffering, die.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of tremble

Noun

The wondrous story was adapted by frequent Laika collaborator Chris Butler from the epic 2011 novel written by Colin Meloy (frontman for indie rock band the Decemberists, whose original music is featured here) and illustrated by Carson Ellis.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The Anthropocene will mark a permanent geological and paleontological boundary in the rock record.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rock

Noun

The Ukrainian capital endured a noisy night as 21 ballistic missiles came in three waves, Zelenskyy said, smashing apartment buildings, energy facilities, a railway station and the Kyiv subway system, shopping malls and businesses.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
While the market is riding a wave of success, John doesn’t gloss over the grim outlook of the fishing and seafood industry as a whole.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of wave

Verb

Financial markets slumped on Friday as investors bailed on technology stocks amid concerns that companies exposed to artificial intelligence are starting to wobble.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Some investors are already treating Apple as a hedge against the other AI companies dominating the Nasdaq; if those companies wobble, Apple could be the big stock-market winner.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of wobble

Browse Nearby Words

wavelets

waver

wavered

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Cite this Entry

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“Waver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waver. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of waver

verb

noun

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