Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Uncertain in purpose or action: Describes a state of hesitation, indecision, or lack of firmness in one's intentions or actions.
   • Moving back and forth; unsteady: Describes something that is not fixed or stable, such as a flickering light or an unsteady voice.

2. Noun:

   • The act or state of being indecisive or hesitating: Refers to the quality of showing indecision in speech or action.
   • The quality of being unsteady and subject to change: Refers to fluctuation or instability.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She gave a wavering smile, unsure of how to react. (Her smile was hesitant and uncertain.)
  • His wavering commitment to the project caused delays. (His uncertain commitment led to delays.)
  • The wavering flame of the candle cast dancing shadows. (The flickering, unsteady flame created moving shadows.)

• Noun:

  • There was a wavering in his voice as he delivered the bad news. (His voice showed hesitation and unsteadiness.)
  • The constant wavering of stock prices makes investors nervous. (The frequent fluctuations in prices create nervousness.)
  • Her wavering on the issue frustrated her colleagues. (Her indecisiveness on the matter was frustrating.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be wavering": to be in a state of doubt or hesitation.
  • He is wavering between accepting the job offer and staying at his current company.
• "without wavering": without hesitation or doubt; firmly.
  • She answered the question without wavering, showing great confidence.

Variants and Related Words

• Waver (verb): To be indecisive between choices; to become unsteady; to flicker.
  • He began to waver in his support for the policy.
• Unwavering (adjective): Steady, resolute, not wavering.
  • She has shown unwavering dedication to her studies.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Hesitant, indecisive, vacillating, faltering, unsteady, flickering.
• Noun: Hesitation, indecision, vacillation, fluctuation, instability.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Resolute, decisive, firm, steady, unwavering.
• Noun: Resolution, decisiveness, certainty, stability.

Related Phrases

• Wavering attention: Attention that is not steady or focused.
  • The lecturer struggled with the students' wavering attention.
• Wavering loyalty: Loyalty that is not firm or constant.
  • His wavering loyalty made him an unreliable ally.

Adjective

1. uncertain in purpose or action

Noun

1. the quality of being unsteady and subject to changes
   • he kept a record of price fluctuations
2. indecision in speech or action