wavering

[wey-ver-ing]

adjective

1. fluttering, swaying to and fro, tottering, or reeling.

   To make things more bearable, he imagined she was close by—just beyond that wavering curtain.

   The two stumbling cousins came to a wavering halt, leaning on each other.

2. flickering or quivering, as light.

   In the wavering light of the torch, the old warrior's face showed fond concern.

3. becoming unsteady; beginning to fail or give way.

   It wasn’t just the physical pain I suffered, it was the loss of self, the wavering sense of identity.

4. shaking or trembling, as the hands or voice.

   "Our thoughts are with our colleague’s family, friends, and loved ones," said the anchorman with a wavering voice.

5. feeling or showing doubt, indecision, etc.; vacillating.

   The disciplined mind is strong and effective, while the constantly wavering mind is weak and ineffective.

6. fluctuating or varying.

   The participants braved the wavering March weather for an engaging and action-packed day.

noun

1. the act or condition of becoming unsteady, vacillating, faltering, or fluctuating.

   Any wavering of attention is very likely to result in an error.

2. the act or condition of flickering, swaying, tottering, or fluttering.

   There was a wavering in the cracked screen.

3. the act or condition of shaking or trembling, as the hands or voice.

   Her fear began to manifest itself in a minute trembling of her hand and a slight wavering of her voice.

Other Word Forms

• waveringly adverb
• nonwavering adjective
• unwavering adjective
• unwaveringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wavering¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; waver ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; waver ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

Its relationship with the North has had its ups and downs, wavering between open hostility and hopeful engagement.

From BBC

Minister had hoped changes made last week had convinced wavering rebels to back the bill, but during the debate many still expressed concerns.

From BBC

Ap Iorwerth accused Morgan of wavering from her belief the Welsh government would benefit from membership of the single market and the custom union.

From BBC

Conservatives have long reassured wavering politicians by saying the same of PBS and NPR if the CPB were to be hollowed out.

From Salon

County, say they are deeply concerned about any wavering in the state’s commitment to the subject.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• undecided