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
Mays is a cancer survivor with a full package of maladies, including diabetes, a faltering heart and failing kidneys.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Read More: Trump Tries to ‘Save’ Netanyahu as Israeli PM Faces Challenges at Home
Earlier ceasefires have faltered
Talks between Israel and Hamas have been stymied by disagreement over whether a ceasefire should include an end to the war.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 2 July 2025
Here are a few more takeaways from Monday’s game:
Michael Wacha falters late
Wacha had trouble navigating the Mariners’ lineup.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
When corporate processes eclipse the culture, ventures almost inevitably falter.
—Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for falter
Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Read More: Trump Tries to ‘Save’ Netanyahu as Israeli PM Faces Challenges at Home
Earlier ceasefires have faltered
Talks between Israel and Hamas have been stymied by disagreement over whether a ceasefire should include an end to the war.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 2 July 2025
Here are a few more takeaways from Monday’s game:
Michael Wacha falters late
Wacha had trouble navigating the Mariners’ lineup.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
When corporate processes eclipse the culture, ventures almost inevitably falter.
—Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for falter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter
Verb
-
Many third-party managers hesitate to adopt centralized models, citing concerns about disruption or owner pushback.—
Tyler Christiansen,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
Social media users didn't hesitate to share their thoughts on the eBay sale.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
Wires were seen submerged in pooling water across the floor and high winds made the floor and walls of the facility’s tents tremble, reporter video from CNN affiliate Spectrum News 13 showed.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
-
The sound is electronic and rhythmically driven; the singing trembles with desire and confusion.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
In this case, the dollar is wobbling because markets lack faith in it, even though the U.S. economy is doing better than most others.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
-
His jaw wobbled unsteadily and a thin thread of spit drooled from the side of his mouth onto the counter.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Roth did not duck then and has not ducked, hedged or wavered since.—
John T. Shaw,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
-
The Wedbush Securities tech analyst never wavers in his conviction that the company is the most undervalued AI play in the market.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
All those sharp tool and drills are enough to make anyone shudder.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
-
My father seemed to crumple a little, shuddering, grabbing the edge of his desk to steady himself.—
Ottessa Moshfegh,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Falter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falter. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share