quavering 1 of 2

adjective

as in resonant

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quavering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of quaver
as in trilling
to sing with the alternation of two musical tones know-it-alls snickered as the opera singer quavered on the high note

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quavering
Adjective
Unmoored from tradition and offering only vague, impressionistic lyrics, Granli’s quavering performances on Rosacea become Rorschach tests, ripe for free association with whatever images your psyche can dredge up. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Tiny Silver was a birdlike woman, either very young or very old, quavering. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 Softly so as not to drown out the quavering notes, the congregation put words to the melody. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026 The combination of quavering flutes and solemn, unfamiliar corridors is disquieting. — Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025 Funke, her voice quavering throughout, recounted the events of the previous night. — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025 Her voice quavering with emotion, Pawol talked about getting the news during a Wednesday conference call with director of umpire development Rich Rieker and vice president of umpire operations Matt McKendry. — Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quavering
  1. resonant
  2. trilling
  3. sonorous
  4. warbling
  5. melodic
  6. dulcet
  7. rhythmic
  8. appealing
Adjective
  • Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap.
    — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the ingredients were all present, beginning with that singular singing voice, low, resonant and unabashedly passionate, the antidote to a decade of hard-rock singers trying to out-high-note each other.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of resonant
Verb
  • Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm Campground This trail almost entirely follows the coast for 7 miles, with a soundtrack of lapping waves, trilling loons, and the occasional outboard motor.
    — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
  • In a now-viral clip, Carpenter overheard someone from the crowd trilling during her set for Weekend 1 and asked if the audience member was yodeling.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of trilling
Adjective
  • Assuming the role of a human clapper, Holzinger struck its lip again and again, sending a sonorous peal across the Biennale grounds.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026
  • In addition to his film, TV and theater work, Yun has also narrated a ton of Korean documentaries over the years thanks to his sonorous voice.
    — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Definition of sonorous
Adjective
  • Nine’s creaking, warbling cadence makes for a Thug/Carti hybrid that’s distinct but still close enough to be familiar and palatable.
    — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The song may be six minutes long, but the circuitous lope of his acoustic-guitar strum and low throb of his warbling feel eternal, like the type of tune Sisyphus might have hummed to keep himself company.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of warbling
Adjective
  • Its core 1970s grinding yet melodic bluesy approach didn’t shift when synthesizers became the rage in the 1980s or when grunge overtook the rock world in the 1990s.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Bully’s amalgam of punk, grunge and melodic alt sounds has earned it a national following over the course of the past ten years.
    — John D. Luerssen, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of melodic
Adjective
  • The enchanting woodsy and pastoral backgrounds when the action moves from the residential suburbs to the rural outskirts add to that poignancy, as do the dulcet tones of Randy Newman’s score.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • Wishing you a week of dulcet tones, giddy resistance, and a thousand pancakes.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of dulcet
Adjective
  • The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In the clip, Lee expertly beats on a bongo while Limbani responds with eager rhythmic dancing.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rhythmic
Adjective
  • Clean windows bring more light into a home and make the view more appealing.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • South Korea created a system that catches things early, making a Seoul wellness trip highly appealing for international visitors.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of appealing

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Cite this Entry

“Quavering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quavering. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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