Waver — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈwā-vər/ wa·ver

Meaning & Definition of Waver

Waver (verb)

  1. to vacillate irresolutely between choices, fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction
  2. to weave or sway unsteadily to and fro, reel, totter
  3. quiver, flicker

Waver (noun)

  1. an act of wavering, quivering, or fluttering
  2. one that waves

Waver (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to show uncertainty about the right course of action

    "he's still wavering about whether to take the job"

    similar: balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, wobble
    related: haw, hem, dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait, back down, chicken (out), consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh, oscillate, sway, equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle
    opposite: dive (in), plunge (in)
    near: decide, budge, stir, advance, continue

  2. to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side

    "the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over"

    similar: falter, rock, teeter, totter, wobble
    related: flounder, lurch, stumble, toddle, quake, quaver, quiver, shake, shudder, tremble, vibrate, careen, reel, stagger, weave

Waver (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in swing, rock

    similar: oscillation, rock, sway, swing, swish, switch, wag, waggle, whisk, flap, flutter, wave, whip, flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch, jiggle, shake, wiggle, bob, nod

Related Entry: Flag-waver (noun)

Flag-waver is a different word from Waver. The synonyms below are for flag-waver, not for waver.

  1. one who shows excessive favoritism towards his or her country

    "a newspaper columnist who never manages to be anything other than a knee-jerk flag-waver"

    similar: chauvinist, jingo, nationalist, superpatriot
    related: loyalist, patriot, hawk, warmonger, nativist
    near: internationalist, neutralist

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Waver

The most common words with a similar meaning to Waver:

balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, wobble, rock, totter, oscillation, sway, swing, swish, switch, wag, waggle, whisk, flap, flutter, wave, whip, flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch, jiggle, shake, wiggle, bob, nod

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Waver

Words with the opposite meaning of Waver:

dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words for Waver

haw, hem, dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait, back down, chicken (out), consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh, oscillate, equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle, flounder, lurch, stumble, toddle, quake, quaver, quiver, shudder, tremble

Near Antonyms of Waver

decide, budge, stir, advance, continue

Word Forms of Waver

Inflections: wavered, wavering

Derived words: waverer (noun), waveringly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Waver

Middle English; akin to Old English wǣfre restless, wafian to wave with the hands wave

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Waver

flag-waver

Frequently Asked Questions about Waver

What does "Waver" mean?

"Waver" means to vacillate irresolutely between choices, fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to vacillate irresolutely between choices, fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Waver"?

Other words for "Waver" include balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple and shilly-shally. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Waver" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Waver"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Waver". Common alternatives include balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger and teeter.

What is the opposite of "Waver"?

Antonyms of "Waver" include dive (in) and plunge (in). Near antonyms include decide, budge, stir and advance.

How do you use "Waver" in a sentence?

Examples of "Waver" in a sentence: "he's still wavering about whether to take the job"; "the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over".

Is "Waver" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Waver" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Waver"?

"Waver" is pronounced /ˈwā-vər/ and divided into syllables as wa·ver.

What is the origin of the word "Waver"?

"Waver" comes from Middle English; akin to Old English wǣfre restless, wafian to wave with the hands wave. First known use: 14th century.