wavering 1 of 3

noun

Definition of waveringnext
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action after a moment's wavering, she accepted his proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wavering

2 of 3

adjective

as in irresolute

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wavering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of waver
1
as in hesitating
to show uncertainty about the right course of action he's still wavering about whether to take the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faltering
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wavering
  1. hesitation
  2. irresolute
  3. hesitancy
  4. unsure
  5. hesitance
  6. uncertain
  7. pause
  8. ambivalent
Noun
  • Focus on retention, education, activation, new tech and rewarding your people to start the next year with momentum, not hesitation.
    Yogesh Shah, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Despite potential hesitation from fellow Republicans, Trump persists that the former Fox News host is ethically equipped to handle the role.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of hesitation
Adjective
  • The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
  • Showing signs of being irresolute can signal weakness that adversaries take note of.
    Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 5 Jan. 2024
Definition of irresolute
Noun
  • Even following such an uplifting and dominant win, Newcastle’s baffling, up-and-down campaign demands such hesitancy.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • While understandable, this hesitancy can hinder innovative solutions to the sector's challenges.
    Seth Darling, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Definition of hesitancy
Adjective
  • The bus originated in Atlanta but had around six or seven stops on the way, and investigators are unsure where the man got on, Kenny said.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
  • About 27 percent said Americans were responsible for finding their own coverage, while 19 percent were unsure or skipped the question.
    Tara Suter, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of unsure
Noun
  • This hesitance could jeopardize the continent's climate goals and its automotive sector, which is heavily reliant on transitioning to EVs.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • As the war in Ukraine escalated and the enmity between Moscow and its Western rivals deepened, Lukashenko's apparent hesitance to fully commit to the conflict seems to have bought him some level of freedom from retaliation.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of hesitance
Adjective
  • Another installment in the Kingsman franchise, which first launched Egerton’s career with 2014’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, is uncertain.
    Jack Smart, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Can Raw Milk Give You Bird Flu? The effects of drinking raw milk tainted with bird flu are still uncertain.
    Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of uncertain
Noun
  • This time of year offers a natural pause to evaluate the past and consider the future.
    Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Drone activity over the weekend forced a pause on air traffic in at least two states.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
Definition of pause
Adjective
  • Israel and the West were long ambivalent about Assad's fate.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Ulf, however, is more ambivalent about Linn’s contribution.
    John Russell, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of ambivalent
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near wavering

wavered

wavering

wavers

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Cite this Entry

“Wavering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wavering. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wavering

Nglish: Translation of wavering for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of wavering for Arabic Speakers

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