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
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Recent Examples of falters
Brown is likely a lock unless his usual consistency falters in the long program on Saturday.
—
Lillian Karabaic, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Even when Cregger holds his mythology deceptively close to the chest, the emotional intrigue never falters in the wake of a mass disappearance that saw more than 30 local children disappear.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
Sometimes India’s balancing act falters.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Up ⬆ The Secret Agent If Wicked falters, which on-the-bubble contender could step up?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
But to the unlikely role of a Bogart-esque reluctant hero, Leonardo DiCaprio brings an intensity that compels even when the script falters.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025
If diplomacy falters, the administration could escalate military or covert operations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Property taxes serve as a safety valve for local governments when state aid declines or the economy falters, Walczak argues.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
But when the federal system falters, others must protect people from avoidable harm.
—Tom Frieden, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters
Verb
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The Broncos’ wide receivers had four drops in the first half, and BSU failed twice on fourth down when going for it, something Danielson seldom hesitates to do.—
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In the final scene, Lee hesitates for a moment before letting Stella choose.—
Verb
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Over the next two weeks, these shifts could start to be felt in North America, Europe and Asia as the polar vortex weakens and tumbles south, like a spinning top that slows and wobbles off course.—
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And the resulting 35-yard field goal try — a six-inch gimmie putt in the modern NFL — wobbles wide right.—
Verb
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Kicking off the Year With Self-Care These days, her morning ritual also includes Premier Protein shakes.—
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Berto is seen walking back to his truck, while the Tahoe driver walks toward the front end of the Tahoe, looks down at the bumper and shakes his head before turning to point the firearm at Berto, the affidavit said.—
Verb
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So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.—
Verb
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In season two, based on the nine of 15 total episodes provided to critics, the restraint wavers and the balance begins to tilt.—
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Throughout, the depth and quality of Sullivan’s attention to prosaic detail—even plain and unappealing objects—never wavers.—
Verb
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The fashion guru typically rocks her tried-and-true ashy blonde, occasionally opting for highlights and/or lowlights.—
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But when a tsunami rocks their island, profound tragedy ensues, and immediately ups the stakes of a brief encounter.—
Verb
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Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.—
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As one officer reaches for the SUV's door handle, the vehicle lurches backward and then begins moving forward, rightward, seemingly away from the officers.—
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.—
Cite this Entry
“Falters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falters. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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