What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hesitated
Example
She hesitated before answering the question. [hesitated: verb]
Example
He showed hesitation when asked to jump off the diving board. [hesitation: noun]
wavered
Example
Her confidence wavered when she heard the negative feedback. [wavered: verb]
Example
The politician's stance on the issue wavered throughout the campaign. [waver: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hesitated is more commonly used than wavered in everyday language. Hesitated is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while wavered is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hesitated and wavered?
Both hesitated and wavered are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
