Definition of falternext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb falter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of falter are hesitate, vacillate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

When would hesitate be a good substitute for falter?

The words hesitate and falter can be used in similar contexts, but hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When is vacillate a more appropriate choice than falter?

The synonyms vacillate and falter are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

In what contexts can waver take the place of falter?

In some situations, the words waver and falter are roughly equivalent. However, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

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 falter Meanwhile, the Valkyries’ offense faltered. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 27 June 2026 Can Andy Burnham make the tough choices to succeed where others have faltered? Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2026 Conquerors and autocrats may win the immediate battle by bullying their subjects into submission, but their empires inevitably crumble the moment their iron grip falters. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026 Chris Jung | Nurphoto | Getty Images Shares of Nvidia have been faltering recently — and Kalshi traders predict that what the company can charge for chips is also declining. Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for falter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter
Verb
  • When King asked if the unnamed celebrity was the one, Brown didn't hesitate.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
  • The girls don’t hesitate to lay into him either with Trinity, Melanie, and Aniya all coming to Kenzie’s impassioned defense.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Back in their dorm room after the beating, Valentine watched as Okeadu began to tremble uncontrollably.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • Each time the leaves trembled, the sunlight filtering through them also wavered.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Instead of rising together whenever markets wobble, Treasurys, gold and the yen are increasingly responding to their own macro fundamentals.
    Lim Hui Jie,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
  • The plate currently featured front and center, SpaceX, has been wobbling after an underwhelming IPO.
    Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Hernández said Rossi Ydrogo had just called his brother in Caracas 20 minutes before the earth started to shake.
    Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • In Venezuela, rescue teams have been racing against the clock to pull survivors from the rubble after two powerful earthquakes shook the northern state of La Guaira last Wednesday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Their courage quickly wavers in the face of the location’s eerie atmosphere and the deafening sound of cicadas.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
  • Amateur cartographers released homemade maps of potential upzoned areas, while some cities wavered over whether their stops would be included or not.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • A lot of people are upset by the notion of bringing cage fights to the White House, shuddering at the bad taste of it all.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
  • Design practices Not knowing ahead of time what lunar explorers may face is an unsure, shuddering proposition.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Falter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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