Quavered

To quaver means to tremble or shake, especially in one's voice, typically due to nervousness, fear, emotion, or weakness. This trembling is often characterized by a rapid, vibratory oscillation. It's a physical manifestation of an inner state and often used to describe the sound of a voice, but can also refer to the physical trembling of the body. The degree of the quavering can vary from a subtle tremor to a pronounced, almost uncontrollable shake. When used figuratively, 'quavered' can suggest uncertainty or fragility in something that isn't physical, such as an argument or a structure.

Quavered meaning with examples

• Fear gripped the young boy, and his voice quavered as he stammered out his confession. The unexpected confrontation with the principal had left him shaken and the involuntary vibration in his tone was evident to everyone in the room. The sheer terror caused his vocal cords to vibrate in an uncontrolled fashion. It was the very portrait of someone consumed with guilt and apprehension, the tremor betraying his inner state.
• Her voice quavered slightly as she delivered the eulogy, the weight of her grief palpable in the air. Recalling cherished memories of her friend, emotions caused her to tremble and the subtle tremble reflected both sadness and love. She paused to gather herself, trying to control the involuntary tremor as she spoke of his life. The words came out with effort, but each one was filled with meaning and sentiment.
• The old house seemed to quaver in the wind as the storm intensified, its timbers creaking with age. The strong gusts lashed out, and caused a shudder to run across the structure. Every clap of thunder sent another wave of anxiety, causing a physical demonstration of its susceptibility to the elements. The storm acted as a force that gave the building a shake that one could clearly feel.
• His hand quavered as he reached for the antique vase, his age and frailty evident. The years of toil etched in his face, he knew that he might drop the fragile thing he was holding. The slightest movement of the vase revealed his inability to keep it steady. He took a deep breath, concentrating on the task at hand in an attempt to stabalize himself.
• The orchestra's performance, though technically proficient, seemed to quaver under the conductor's erratic baton. A lack of precision sent ripples through the music and made for poor quality. The ensemble seemed unsteady, lacking cohesion and confidence. Their lack of precision betrayed the weakness of their rehearsal practices, and lacked cohesion and rhythm that was desperately sought after.