as in hesitation
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in irresolute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hesitating
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
he's still wavering about whether to take the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faltering
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
the steel tower wavered for a moment before falling over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wavering
Noun
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Taking small steps toward dating and being open to new experiences can help break the cycle of hesitation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025 -
But as the weeks passed, Minnie's initial hesitation turned into affection.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
12 Oct. 2024
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Showing signs of being irresolute can signal weakness that adversaries take note of.—
Michael Poznansky,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Jan. 2024
Noun
-
Nothing has been said officially in this regard, but perhaps some of the apparent hesitancy of coaches or Concacaf representatives to speak publicly on the matter in the immediate aftermath was based on speculation that the likely true nature of events involved some sort of misunderstanding.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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And Patton’s memorable opening speech hints at the film’s hesitancy about turning men into myths.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Initially, as The Times previously reported, prison staff were unsure where to house the detainees or how best to keep them separate from other prisoners.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
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The share of respondents who were unsure shrunk from 31% to 25%.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This patience and hesitance to pay up when the market looked good in early trading has served us well so far.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
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President-elect Trump is encountering some unlikely openness from Democrats — and hesitance and confusion from Republicans — with his talk of acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal.—
Andrew Solender,
Axios,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The ripple effect from this trade should impact two areas: The uncertain QB situation and George Pickens.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, the inflation outlook is becoming more uncertain.—
Garth Friesen,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The new tariffs on Canada and Mexico had previously been on a monthlong pause, and many critics hoped that they would be softened, or eliminated, before their deadline to resume.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2025
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How Trump’s trade war could hit your wallet After earlier threats and a last-minute pause in February, President Trump’s North American trade war has begun while the tariff battle with China escalated.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Russian oil industry and government have always been ambivalent about sharing wealth with foreign investors.—
Stanley Reed,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
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Like anyone who’s converted a hobby into a career, Vaughn is ambivalent about his influence.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Wavering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wavering. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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