揺らぐ

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 揺らぐ(ゆらぐ) means swaying or flickering physically, or wavering figuratively in trust, resolve, or another stable state.
• Basic usage: It is used for a flame moving in the wind or trust being shaken by failure. Typical patterns are 炎が揺らぐ and 信頼が揺らぐ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Separate the literal and figurative senses
  • With a flame it describes physical movement; with trust or resolve it describes a loss of stability.
• Difference from 揺れる
  • 揺れる(ゆれる) broadly describes physical shaking, while 揺らぐ suits gentle wavering or the destabilization of an established basis.