waver

• Nom désignant une hésitation ou une indécision passagère, un flottement dans la décision, ou encore une personne qui fait des signes de la main.

A noun referring to the act of pausing uncertainly or moving back and forth, or a person who communicates by waving.

1. A person who wavesB2formal

   Someone who communicates or signals by waving their hand or an object.

   personne qui fait un signe de la main

   • The waver on the platform caught the train conductor's attention.
   • She was a frequent waver from the parade float.
   • The crowd was full of wavers greeting the celebrity.

2. An act of hesitationC1formal

   A moment of pausing or showing uncertainty before making a decision.

   hésitation

   • There was a slight waver in his voice when he answered.
   • Her waver before signing the contract made everyone nervous.
   • The committee's waver delayed the final approval.

   Synonymesfalteringhesitationindecisionirresolutionvacillation

   Antonymesdecisiondeterminationresolutionsteadfastness

3. A back-and-forth movementB2formal

   The act of moving unsteadily or oscillating from side to side.

   balancement, oscillation

   • The waver of the candle flame cast dancing shadows.
   • He noticed a waver in the bridge's structure during the storm.
   • The waver of the flag in the wind was hypnotic.

   Synonymesfluctuationoscillationquiverswaytremorwobble

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner une hésitation ou une indécision, une instabilité ou une oscillation entre des options ou des opinions, ou un tremblement ou un vacillement physique.

A verb used to indicate the act of being indecisive, unsteady, or fluctuating between choices or opinions.

1. Hesitate or be uncertainB2formal

   To pause or hold back due to doubt or unwillingness.

   Hésiter ou être incertain

   • She wavered for a moment before accepting the job offer.
   • He never wavered in his commitment to the cause.
   • The committee wavered on the decision for several hours.

   Synonymesditherequivocatefalterfluctuatehesitateoscillatepauseswayteetervacillate

   Antonymescommitdecidedeterminepersistresolve

2. Be indecisive or weakB2formal

   To show uncertainty or lack of firmness in opinion or action.

   hésiter, vaciller

   • His confidence wavered after the criticism.
   • The government's resolve wavered under pressure.
   • She wavered between two career paths.

   Synonymesditherequivocatefalterfluctuatehesitateoscillateshillyshallyvacillate

   Antonymesdecidedeterminepersistresolve

3. Move unsteadilyB2formal

   To move hesitatingly, as if about to give way or fall.

   Vaciller

   • The old man wavered on his feet before sitting down.
   • The tower wavered in the strong wind.
   • Her voice wavered as she spoke about the accident.

   Synonymeslurchreelrockstaggerteetertotterwobble

   Antonymessteady

4. Sway in a wave-like patternC1formal

   To move back and forth in a rising and falling or wavelike motion.

   Onduler, vaciller

   • The wheat field wavered in the breeze.
   • The flame wavered in the draft.
   • The boat wavered on the gentle waves.

   Synonymesfluctuateoscillaterockswayswingundulate

5. Vibrate rapidlyC1formal

   To move back and forth very quickly.

   Vibrer rapidement

   • The needle wavered rapidly on the gauge.
   • The light wavered as the generator struggled.
   • His hand wavered as he tried to hold the tool steady.

   Synonymesflickerflutterquivershaketremblevibrate

6. Sway to and froB2formal

   To swing or oscillate from side to side.

   Osciller

   • The pendulum wavered slowly back and forth.
   • The trees wavered in the storm.
   • She wavered on the tightrope before regaining balance.

   Synonymesfluctuateoscillaterockswayswingundulate

   Antonymesfixsettlesteady

7. Produce unsteady soundsC1formal

   To give off sounds that alternate in amplitude or frequency, often trembling.

   Produire des sons instables

   • His voice wavered with emotion during the speech.
   • The singer's note wavered slightly at the end.
   • The radio signal wavered in and out of range.

   Synonymesquaver