waver
Flicker between choices
Waver means to fluctuate or show uncertainty.
A person wavers between options, unable to commit: She wavered on whether to accept the job.
Physical wavering is unsteady movement—a flame wavers in the breeze, a voice wavers with emotion.
Something unwavering is firm and resolute.
Not to be confused with waive, meaning to forgo a right or requirement.
Shake from fear
- quiverTrembling or arrow case
- shakeTrembling or blended treat
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- quaverUnsteady vocal sound
flutter · flicker · wobble · vibrate · shimmer · ripple · oscillate · pulsate
Pause in uncertainty
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
- ditherNervous inability to choose
- vacillateWaver between choices
equivocate · shilly-shally · hem and haw · stall · waffle · pussyfoot · prevaricate · scruple
Lose momentum or steadiness
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- weakenReduce in strength
- flagCloth symbol or signal
- fadeLose intensity gradually
decline · fail · buckle · give way · crack · crumble · break down · lose heart
Lack of firm belief
- indecisionFailure to decide
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
tentativeness · unsureness · vacillation · inconstancy · flip-flop · fence-sitting · wishy-washy · conflicted
Vary irregularly over time
- oscillateMove rhythmically between extremes
- varyTo show differences
- shiftMovement or work period
- swingSuspended recreational seat
alternate · seesaw · yo-yo · ebb and flow · rise and fall · come and go · change · modulate
tremble
Shake from fear
quaver · flutter · flicker · wobble · vibrate · shimmer · ripple · oscillate · pulsate · undulate
hesitate
Pause in uncertainty
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
- ditherNervous inability to choose
vacillate · equivocate · shilly-shally · hem and haw · stall · waffle · pussyfoot · prevaricate · scruple · deliberate
falter
Lose momentum or steadiness
fade · decline · fail · buckle · give way · crack · crumble · break down · lose heart · give in
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- indecisionFailure to decide
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
irresolution · tentativeness · unsureness · vacillation · inconstancy · flip-flop · fence-sitting · wishy-washy · conflicted · torn
fluctuate
Vary irregularly over time
swing · alternate · seesaw · yo-yo · ebb and flow · rise and fall · come and go · change · modulate · undulate
- neighborhood charactersbusybody, gossip, nosy neighbor, mailman, dog walker
- street dancersb-boy, breakdancer, breaker, street dancer, popper
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- stallingstall, stalling, delay, hesitate, procrastinate
- evasionevasion, avoiding, avoids, evade, dodging
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
waversteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
hold steady · stabilize · stand firm · hold still · hold firm
waverpersist
Continue firmly onward
persevere · stand firm · hold fast · stay the course · stand one's ground
- tidal waveEnormous oceanic surge
- wave goodbyeGesture signaling departure
- heat waveExtended extreme warmth
- sound wavesPressure disturbances carrying noise
- making wavesCausing noticeable disruption
- wave offDismiss with gesture
wave, wavy, waves, waved, wavering, wavers, wavered, wavelet, waveform