Wavering — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun adjective /ˈwā-vər/ wa·ver

Meaning & Definition of Wavering

Wavering (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

Wavering (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, pause, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wobbling
    related: delay, hawing, procrastination, waiting, arrière-pensée, misgiving, second thought, consideration, debate, deliberation, doubt, incertitude, indecisiveness, indetermination, uncertainness, uncertainty, avoidance, equivocation, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness, faintheartedness, shyness, timidity, timidness
    near: certainty, certitude, confidence, decisiveness, determination, firmness, resoluteness, resolution, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, readiness

Wavering (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in uncertain, vacillating

    similar: ambivalent, conflicted, doubtful, faltering, halting, indecisive, infirm, irresolute, questioning, skeptical, uncertain, undecided, unsure, vacillating, wobbly, diffident, insecure, uneager, unenthusiastic, cagey, disinclined, dubious, hesitant, indisposed, loath, reluctant, reticent
    opposite: decided, decisive, determined, resolute, unquestioning, assured, confident, sanguine, self-assured, certain, convinced, positive, sure, ready, willing, disposed, inclined

Wavering (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: balancing, dithering, faltering, halting, hanging back, hesitating, scrupling, shilly-shallying, staggering, teetering, vacillating, wobbling
    related: hawing, hemming, dallying, dawdling, delaying, lingering, pausing, procrastinating, waiting, backing down, chickening (out), considering, debating, deliberating, pondering, weighing, oscillating, swaying, equivocating, hedging, pussyfooting, waffling
    opposite: diving (in), plunging (in)
    near: deciding, budging, stirring, advancing, continuing

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

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

    similar: faltering, rocking, teetering, tottering, wobbling
    related: floundering, lurching, stumbling, toddling, quaking, quavering, quivering, shaking, shuddering, trembling, vibrating, careening, reeling, staggering, weaving

Related Entry: Waver (verb)

Waver is a different word from Wavering. The synonyms below are for waver, not for wavering.

  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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Wavering

The most common words with a similar meaning to Wavering:

faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, pause, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wobbling, ambivalent, conflicted, doubtful, halting, indecisive, infirm, irresolute, questioning, skeptical, uncertain, undecided, unsure, vacillating, wobbly, diffident, insecure, uneager, unenthusiastic, cagey, disinclined, dubious, hesitant, indisposed, loath, reluctant, reticent, balancing, dithering

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Wavering

Words with the opposite meaning of Wavering:

decided, decisive, determined, resolute, unquestioning, assured, confident, sanguine, self-assured, certain, convinced, positive, sure, ready, willing, disposed, inclined, diving (in), plunging (in)

Related Words for Wavering

delay, hawing, procrastination, waiting, arrière-pensée, misgiving, second thought, consideration, debate, deliberation, doubt, incertitude, indecisiveness, indetermination, uncertainness, uncertainty, avoidance, equivocation, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness, faintheartedness, shyness, timidity, timidness, hemming, dallying, dawdling

Near Antonyms of Wavering

certainty, certitude, confidence, decisiveness, determination, firmness, resoluteness, resolution, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, readiness, deciding, budging, stirring, advancing, continuing

Word Forms of Wavering

Inflections: wavered

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

Origin & Etymology of Wavering

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

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Wavering

What does "Wavering" mean?

"Wavering" means to vacillate irresolutely between choices, fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction. As an a verb, a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: to vacillate irresolutely between choices, fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Wavering"?

Other words for "Wavering" include faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution and pause. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Wavering" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Wavering"?

There are 108 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Wavering". Common alternatives include faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, pause, shilly-shally and shilly-shallying.

What is the opposite of "Wavering"?

Antonyms of "Wavering" include decided, decisive, determined, resolute, unquestioning, assured, confident and sanguine. Near antonyms include certainty, certitude, confidence and decisiveness.

How do you use "Wavering" in a sentence?

Examples of "Wavering" in a sentence: "after a moment's wavering, she accepted his proposal"; "he's still wavering about whether to take the job"; "the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over".

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

"Wavering" can be used as a verb, a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Wavering"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Wavering"?

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