falter

verb

ˈfȯl-tər How to pronounce falter (audio)
Definition of falternext
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

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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

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 Water, sports drinks, coffee and tea also saw stronger demand, while juices and dairy products faltered. —Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026 Confidence in the software industry has largely faltered in recent weeks, with The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF down 21% over the past month. —Sean Conlon,liz Napolitano, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026 Tennessee faltered again right before half, missing six of its final seven shots. —Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026 Lock went 4-1 as a starter in 2019 after taking over from veteran Joe Flacco, but faltered in a rocky 2020, with a league-leading 13 interceptions in just 13 games. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for falter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter
  1. hesitate
  2. tremble
  3. wobble
  4. shake
  5. waver
  6. shudder
Verb
  • Asked during a keynote appearance at Berlin’s European Film Market whether such a deal would be good for the film business, Ford didn’t hesitate.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Glenn and his friends were asked to meet some girls, and the teens didn’t hesitate.
    — Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • Even the opening credits, some written in slithering hair, seem to tremble out of either fear or ecstasy.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • And the actions of these players have observers: a disempowered domestic staff, forced only to watch in a kind of trembling horror, like Palm Beach waiters seeing altogether too much, linking this work based on Oscar Wilde’s famously controversial play to classic Greek tragedy.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of tremble
Verb
  • A lot of modern pop goes through variations of C, A minor, F and G, then wobble along on top of it.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Darcy Kuemper, goalie, B+ Anton Forsberg, goalie, B+ Both members of the Kings’ goalie tandem have stolen points at times and wobbled a bit at others.
    — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of wobble
Verb
  • In recent editions, the rosters were drafted by James, Durant and Antetokounmpo in an attempt to shake things up.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Jothan saw us and shook our hands, as did Michael Ray, but Sun Ra scuffled by with an air of depthless blankness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • In December, the judges ruled Lai was the mastermind of the conspiracies and never wavered in his intention to destabilize the ruling Chinese Communist Party.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • If your season of choice wavers between winter and spring, try this matte floral design in a neutral palette of black, white, and beige.
    — Samantha Brash, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of waver
Verb
  • Karen Powers shuddered at what the adjuster said next, Shaun Powers said.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Her body shuddered in a wave of tremors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of shudder

Browse Nearby Words

falsity
falter
faltered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Falter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falter. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on falter

Nglish: Translation of falter for Spanish Speakers

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