wavering
She was wavering between accepting the job offer and staying at her current position.
She couldn't decide whether to take the new job or keep her old one.
Showing indecision or uncertainty due to conflicting feelings or opinions.
His wavering support for the policy made it difficult to predict the outcome.
His uncertain backing for the policy led to unpredictable results.
The team's wavering confidence affected their performance in the final match.
The team's lack of conviction impacted their performance.
Often used to describe hesitation in decisions, opinions, or commitments.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid Redundancy
Do not pair 'wavering' with 'hesitant' in the same sentence (e.g., 'She was wavering and hesitant'). Choose one to avoid repetition.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
'Wavering' implies internal conflict or uncertainty, not just physical movement. Use it for emotions, decisions, or opinions, not for literal waves or vibrations.
Word Origin
From the verb 'wave' + '-ering' (a suffix forming adjectives indicating a state or quality). The verb 'wave' comes from Old English 'wafian' (to fluctuate, move to and fro), which is related to Old Norse 'vafra' (to hover, flicker). The '-ering' suffix is derived from Old English '-ing' (related to or characterized by).
Usage Notes
Commonly used in contexts involving decisions, opinions, or emotional states where someone is torn between options. Avoid using it to describe physical movement unless referring to metaphorical 'wavering' (e.g., 'a wavering flame' implies instability).