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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of falters
If the economy falters, political pressure on the president will build.
—
Nancy Cook, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
The goal is to complete this as one continuous set, but drop to your knees and/or take breaks if your form falters at any point.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
Occasionally, the routine falters.
—Agnel Philip, ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2026
If Oviedo falters over the next month, the Red Sox may be forced to flip him with either Tolle or Early.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Alice never falters in her suspicions.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
But when their friendship falters, Minnie is forced to navigate her own identity.
—Teresa Xie, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Trying to hold all of that in, trying to be the one who never falters is not sustainable.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
What never falters is the euphoric chaos of the experience.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Nancy Cook, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
The goal is to complete this as one continuous set, but drop to your knees and/or take breaks if your form falters at any point.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
Occasionally, the routine falters.
—Agnel Philip, ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2026
If Oviedo falters over the next month, the Red Sox may be forced to flip him with either Tolle or Early.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Alice never falters in her suspicions.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
But when their friendship falters, Minnie is forced to navigate her own identity.
—Teresa Xie, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Trying to hold all of that in, trying to be the one who never falters is not sustainable.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
What never falters is the euphoric chaos of the experience.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters
Verb
-
In the finale, Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The show continually wobbles between these two poles.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The start of its third act wobbles a bit, but the filmmakers provide a smashing ending that holds hope there will be more adventures to follow.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hayden, working the grill behind her husband, laughs and shakes her head with a slight eye roll the way only a loving wife can.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the process, the capsule shakes pretty aggressively.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The mind shudders at the thought.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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
-
Project supervisor Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) also rocks a lot of knitted sweaters, visually positioning her away from the Ice Queen/Girlboss cliches the film wants to avoid.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Exclusively for Idaho Statesman readers, Gilbert has highlighted 35 acts to see at the annual event, which rocks multiple venues Wednesday through Sunday.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
-
After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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 6 Apr. 2026.
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