falter

verb

fal·​ter ˈfȯl-tər 

faltered; faltering ˈfȯl-t(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to walk unsteadily : stumble

… the … stranger falters out of the thicket and drops to his knees …

—Dudley Fitts

b

: to give way : totter

could feel my legs faltering

c

: to move waveringly or hesitatingly

… forced to bail out of faltering airplanes over the Alps.

—National Geographic

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

faltered an excuse

falterer

ˈfȯl-tər-ər 

noun

falteringly

ˈfȯl-t(ə-)riŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of falter

• hesitate

Choose the Right Synonym for falter

hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty.

hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

Examples of falter in a Sentence

The business was faltering due to poor management.

Their initial optimism has faltered.

signs that the economy is faltering

Her steps began to falter.

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet, the complex plot comes down to the bond between Albus and Scorpius, who are living in their fathers’ shadows, bullied and uncertain of themselves, as their connections with their dads falter. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026

There’s still time for the Golden Knights to falter, but last night wasn’t very convincing. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Ninth-grader Hansu Musembi, who is new to the varsity team, faltered in his first set. —Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026

If Fortner falters, the Panthers will have Hecht waiting to take over. —Mike Kaye june 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for falter

• altar
• alter
• halter
• psalter
• salter
• defaulter

Kids Definition

falter

verb

fal·​ter

ˈfȯl-tər

faltered; faltering

ˈfȯl-t(ə-)riŋ

1

: to move unsteadily : waver

2

: to stumble or hesitate in speech : stammer entry 1

her voice faltered

3

: to hesitate in purpose or action

courage that never falters

falter noun

falterer

-tər-ər

noun

falteringly

-t(ə-)riŋ-lē

adverb