What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dithering
Example
He spent hours dithering over which shirt to wear. [dithering: verb]
Example
Her dithering caused her to miss the deadline. [dithering: noun]
wavering
Example
She was wavering between two job offers. [wavering: verb]
Example
His wavering support for the project caused delays. [wavering: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wavering is more commonly used than dithering in everyday language, especially in American English. Dithering is less common and may be considered more formal or old-fashioned.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dithering and wavering?
Both dithering and wavering can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, dithering may be considered more formal or old-fashioned due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
