falter

¹fal·ter

verb \ˈfȯl-tər\

fal·teredfal·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of FALTER

intransitive verb

1

a : to walk unsteadily : stumble

b : to give way : totter <could feel my legs faltering>

c : to move waveringly or hesitatingly

2

: to speak brokenly or weakly : stammer <her voice faltered>

3

a : to hesitate in purpose or action : waver <he never faltered in his determination>

b : to lose drive or effectiveness <the business was faltering>

transitive verb

: to utter hesitatingly or brokenly

— fal·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

— fal·ter·ing·ly \-t(ə-)riŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of FALTER

1. The business was faltering due to poor management.
2. Their initial optimism has faltered.
3. signs that the economy is faltering
4. Her steps began to falter.

Origin of FALTER

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FALTER

Synonyms

balance, dither, hesitate, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)

Antonyms

dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words

haw, hem; dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait; back down, chicken (out); consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh; oscillate, sway; equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle

Near Antonyms

decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

See Synonym Discussion at hesitate

Rhymes with FALTER

altar, alter, halter, palter, salter, vaulter

²falter

noun

Definition of FALTER

: an act or instance of faltering

First Known Use of FALTER

1834