1
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
William Lloyd Garrison never once faltered in his demand that slavery be unconditionally abolished
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to tremble
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
the cut tree seemed to falter for a moment before crashing to the ground
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 falter
However, Tiger's 16-year-old son faltered at the May 9 qualifier and did not advance.
—
Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
New York, which heads into the game in a 3-1 deficit, has seen great individual moments from star players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns — but together, the duo has faltered in one very important area.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 29 May 2025
When talks between the United States and Iran faltered, the Biden administration declined to pursue an entirely new agreement, opting instead to avoid escalation.
—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
If trade negotiations falter, these tariffs could take effect, potentially igniting a trade war and unsettling global markets.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for falter
Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
New York, which heads into the game in a 3-1 deficit, has seen great individual moments from star players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns — but together, the duo has faltered in one very important area.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 29 May 2025
When talks between the United States and Iran faltered, the Biden administration declined to pursue an entirely new agreement, opting instead to avoid escalation.
—Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
If trade negotiations falter, these tariffs could take effect, potentially igniting a trade war and unsettling global markets.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for falter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter
Verb
-
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) hesitated to affirm his support for Schumer’s continued leadership.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
-
As good as the night was against an A’s team that has now lost 22 of 26 games, Soriano hesitated to call it his best.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
Your muscles get tense, your hands are sweaty, your voice starts trembling.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
The nightmares returned after the shooting As Canty sat trembling for three hours in her professor’s podcasting studio at FSU, she was surrounded by friends, classmates and strangers who had been smashed together by the chaotic terror.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Despite so much to cheer about, Thug Life doesn’t hit the high notes, mostly because the writing wobbles badly.—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
-
In ordinary times, the scenario of muted inflation and a job market that's starting to wobble would make cutting interest rates — a move that tends to boost the economy, sending prices and job openings higher — an easy decision for any central bank.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
Carnal, with care – Jis shook the bedrock of the cordial, conservative Guadalajara community with filth, camp and candor.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
9 June 2025
-
The bizarre blackouts are first explained with a bizarre hit-and-run that shook Larkin months earlier.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
The broader housing market continues to face headwinds, with mortgage rates remaining high and consumer confidence wavering.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Many other states have shared wavering commitment to continuing programs that incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
That was after the pandemic lockdown brought concerts — and much of the world — shuddering to a halt in 2020 and much of 2021 (and before the COVID resurgence that followed).—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
-
Trump’s early-morning social-media missive caused markets to shudder.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Falter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falter. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share