waver

/ˈweɪvə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈweɪvər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwā-vər/ (ame, mw)

waver — verb

  • waverpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • wavershe / she / it
  • waveredpast simple
  • wavering-ing form

1. to temporarily become less strong, determined, or certain about something you be

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to temporarily become less strong, determined, or certain about something you believe in or intend to do — for example, losing courage before a difficult task or doubting a long-held conviction when challenged.

例句

Mei-Lin's courage wavered when she saw the dark, narrow staircase ahead of her.

abstract subject (courage) + wavered

Even after three failed attempts, Javier's belief in his project never wavered.

negative construction: never wavered

同義詞
  • falter

    stronger sense of nearly stopping or failing, while waver suggests temporary weakness

  • hesitate

    focuses on pausing before an action; waver focuses on loss of inner strength

反義詞
  • persevere

    continuing firmly despite difficulty

  • stand firm

    keeping one's position without giving way

文法句型

waver + in + (belief/commitment/resolve)

never + waver

用法筆記

Frequently used in the negative (never wavered, didn't waver) to emphasise steady determination. The pattern 'waver in + abstract noun' is the most common syntactic frame for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌His support never wavered from the team.
✅His support for the team never wavered.
💡Use 'for' to indicate who or what receives the support, not 'from'.
❌She wavered to tell the truth.
✅She wavered in her decision to tell the truth.
💡Waver is intransitive; it does not take a to-infinitive directly.

2. to keep changing your mind because you cannot decide between two or more choices

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to keep changing your mind because you cannot decide between two or more choices — for example, being unable to choose between two jobs, or changing your opinion back and forth on a question.

例句

Keiko wavered between studying medicine and pursuing a career in music.

waver + between + two options (gerunds)

The board wavered for weeks before finally choosing a new chief executive.

同義詞
  • vacillate

    formal; suggests repeatedly going back and forth between choices

  • hesitate

    focuses on a temporary pause; waver suggests ongoing indecision

反義詞
  • decide

    to make a firm choice

  • commit

    to settle on one option wholeheartedly

文法句型

waver + between + noun/gerund + and + noun/gerund

waver + about/over + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (LOSE DETERMINATION), this sense does not imply weakness or loss of courage — it simply describes difficulty in making a choice. The preposition 'between' introduces two alternatives; 'about' or 'over' introduces the subject of indecision.

常見錯誤

❌I wavered to choose which college to attend.
✅I wavered between two colleges.
💡Do not use 'waver to + verb'. Use waver + between + options.
❌She wavered whether to go or stay.
✅She wavered about whether to go or stay.
💡Add 'about' before 'whether'.

3. to move, shake, or flicker in an unsteady way — used of flames, light, sounds, v

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to move, shake, or flicker in an unsteady way — used of flames, light, sounds, voices, or a person's body movements when they are weak or unbalanced.

例句

The candle flame wavered in the cool breeze from the open window.

physical subject (flame) + wavered + place phrase

Fatima's hand wavered as she reached for the heavy cup on the top shelf.

同義詞
  • flicker

    specifically for light or flame; suggests brief, repeated changes in brightness

  • tremble

    for voice or body; suggests shaking from emotion or cold

  • sway

    a slower, wider side-to-side movement

反義詞

文法句型

waver (no object)

subject + waver + adverb/prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Unlike the first two senses, this sense describes physical movement or sound, not mental uncertainty. Common subjects: flame, light, voice, hand, legs, shadow. This is the only sense of 'waver' where the movement is visible or audible.

常見錯誤

❌The flag wavered in the wind.
✅The flag waved in the wind.
💡'Wave' describes a broad, regular motion; 'waver' describes a trembling, unsteady movement.
❌She wavered the flashlight.
✅The flashlight beam wavered.
💡Waver is intransitive; it does not take a direct object.

waver — noun