Synonym Chooser

How does the verb falter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of falter are hesitate, vacillate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

When would hesitate be a good substitute for falter?

The words hesitate and falter can be used in similar contexts, but hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When is vacillate a more appropriate choice than falter?

The synonyms vacillate and falter are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

In what contexts can waver take the place of falter?

In some situations, the words waver and falter are roughly equivalent. However, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

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 While most of the multiplayer modes are different flavors of the same idea, there’s a perpetually improvisational element that makes Battlefield 6 shine where other shooters falter. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025 Demercado wasn’t the only Cardinals to falter. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 Although both players were made to save break points early on in the deciding set, Nosková faltered first as Anisimova took a 4-2 lead, cutting down on the unforced errors that were her downfall in the second. Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 Neither should be a reason to falter too much and Lee doesn’t want any excuses. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for falter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter
Verb
  • Because life—even for us jaded adults—should be for the seizing, not for hesitating in the face of fear.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Upon receiving the handoff, Pacheco hesitated for a beat before faking left, juking right and breaking a tackle on the way to his longest rush of the season — a 16-yard gain on a drive that ended in a Kansas City touchdown.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Westerners call them quakers, for the way the leaves tremble in the wind, but these had no leaves on them now.
    Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The lesson isn’t that investors tremble when Fed chairs talk about stocks.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lindholm’s early departure could have caused the blue line to wobble.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Many Black mothers are primary breadwinners; when their income disappears, households wobble.
    Essence, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With the final seconds ticking away and the Chiefs’ 30-17 triumph over the Detroit Lions sealed, KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes was looking to shake the hand of Lions safety Brian Branch.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Because the building was shaking.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In our testing, the Bluetooth connection never wavered, with long-term use confirming a roughly year-long battery life.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
  • That certainty hasn’t wavered even as some senior GOP appropriators castigate Vought’s actions.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Earth shuddered with yet another wave of extinctions in this initial chill.
    Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Walking into Lincoln with a freshman quarterback and a fill-in head coach is the kind of situation that would make most teams shudder.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Falter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falter. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on falter

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