quavery
Trembling in voice
Quavery describes a voice or sound that trembles or shakes, typically from age, emotion, or weakness: Her quavery voice betrayed her nervousness.
The word suggests unsteadiness without complete loss of control—a waver rather than a break.
It's the adjectival form of quaver.
Trembling or unstable
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- shiveringInvoluntary bodily trembling
faltering · wobbling · shuddering · unsteady · wobbly · tottering · rickety · teetering
shaky
Trembling or unstable
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
shivering · faltering · wobbling · shuddering · unsteady · wobbly · tottering · rickety · teetering · doddering
vibrato
Oscillating pitch effect
cracked · thin · weak · breathy · thready · piping · feeble · faltering · bleating · cracking
hesitant
Slow to act
fearful · timid · tentative · insecure · apprehensive · tearful · overwrought · choked · breaking · strained