1
as in hesitates
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 trembles
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
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Recent Examples of falters
As a ceasefire with Tehran falters, Republicans joined Democrats in pressing for details on the conflict’s costs and the administration’s plan to end it.
—
Noah Robertson, Washington Post, 12 May 2026
Overreliance on one industry makes economies betting on high-tech development vulnerable to market corrections, if AI development falters, or if worsening commodities shortages eventually hinder production of electronic components.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
The chemistry between Balfe’s Claire and Heughan’s Jamie miraculously never falters, but even an epic love story cannot carry eight seasons, and much of the last few seasons has been spent with other characters, some of whom are far less interesting.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Alex Fitzpatrick falters down stretch With less than a half-dozen holes remaining, Alex Fitzpatrick was right there in contention.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026
If a birth cohort hits what normally would be their high-earning years just as an economy booms, as the baby boomers did, their lifetime earnings will be far higher than a cohort reaching those ages just as the economy falters or goes into severe recession.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
But even if Ohtani falters against the Giants, who rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored per game, that will not be a death knell to his candidacy.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
As funding falters, the need for city government to step into the shoes of philanthropists like Gund and Lauder becomes even more vital.
—Gale Brewer, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
If the economy falters, political pressure on the president will build.
—Nancy Cook, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
Noah Robertson, Washington Post, 12 May 2026
Overreliance on one industry makes economies betting on high-tech development vulnerable to market corrections, if AI development falters, or if worsening commodities shortages eventually hinder production of electronic components.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
The chemistry between Balfe’s Claire and Heughan’s Jamie miraculously never falters, but even an epic love story cannot carry eight seasons, and much of the last few seasons has been spent with other characters, some of whom are far less interesting.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Alex Fitzpatrick falters down stretch With less than a half-dozen holes remaining, Alex Fitzpatrick was right there in contention.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026
If a birth cohort hits what normally would be their high-earning years just as an economy booms, as the baby boomers did, their lifetime earnings will be far higher than a cohort reaching those ages just as the economy falters or goes into severe recession.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
But even if Ohtani falters against the Giants, who rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored per game, that will not be a death knell to his candidacy.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
As funding falters, the need for city government to step into the shoes of philanthropists like Gund and Lauder becomes even more vital.
—Gale Brewer, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
If the economy falters, political pressure on the president will build.
—Nancy Cook, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters
Verb
-
The mother in Frederick County still hesitates.—
Natasha Dartigue,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2026
-
His grandson, Jack Schlossberg, who is running for Congress, never hesitates to remind audiences of his lineage.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Sketch a plan for practice, then show up even if motivation wobbles.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The show continually wobbles between these two poles.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her daytime meals are pretty consistent and include yogurts, protein bars, protein shakes and protein pasta.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) shakes hands with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, China, May 6, 2026.—
May 6,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Nothing much really happens in this movie after Philip’s initial arrest, but the world viscerally shudders under Lucy’s feet every time one of her husband’s alibis falls apart.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
-
Hotels used in talks last week have already asked patrons leave as the country shudders into another quasi-lockdown.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Whether that means rewriting a love ballad in a couple of days or suiting up in a onesie for a press event on the other side of the world, the commitment never wavers.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Her commitment to her singular vision never wavers, but as an actor, Glowicki is truly astonishing.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gillian Jacobs rocks a navy pinstripe matching set to the Invisible FYC event in Los Angeles on May 17.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But The Gilded Age doesn’t do pure villains with its main cast, and Oscar totters between failson and tragic figure, the closeted heir of the Van Rhijn family dragged to hell and back after being defrauded of his mother’s fortune.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Falters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falters. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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