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
-
Don’t hesitate to end partnerships with contractors who aren’t aligned with your vision or delivering results.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
In this way, the ellipsoid would change shape in jerky, hesitating motions, gradually exploring the space around it.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
7 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
-
If not for his defensive deterrence, the Heat may not have regained their defensive stride after the team was wobbled by Butler’s indifference prior to his parting.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 July 2025
-
Mariners reliever Trent Thornton wobbled on the mound with one out in the eighth.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 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
-
Here’s What Trump Could do to Fix it Advertisement Johnson had spent the day behind closed doors with about a dozen wavering lawmakers after several of his members relayed their concerns directly with Trump at the White House on Wednesday morning.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
3 July 2025
-
When confidence wavered and investors sold off, its value plummeted to zero - erasing over $40 billion in wealth and drawing the attention of regulators.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 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 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share