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 But if the exponential curves falter, the bets—which now entangle most of the world’s most valuable companies—might cost a lot more than one company, and threaten the entire economy. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for falter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter
Verb
  • Some affirm its position; some hesitate to award it the stamp.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • With so many convenient destinations to choose from, there really is no reason to hesitate to put a Northern Lights trip on your calendar.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If the federal government is so large and powerful that the mightiest corporations in the world tremble at its slightest whim, what chance do ordinary individuals have when its angry gaze burns our way?
    Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Tucked under the Avignon train station, their barely 300-square-foot one-bedroom trembled each night as freight trains passed above.
    Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the opener of this series, Miller wobbled at first, then unplugged the raucous Rogers Centre on his way to a 3-1 victory.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Many Black mothers are primary breadwinners; when their income disappears, households wobble.
    Essence, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Whether the Canes can get to 10-2 will likely depend on if Beck can shake off his four-interception nightmare.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The new coach shook hands, smiled for cell phone pictures and signed posters for wave after wave of kids.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Through every challenge — from the uncertainty of COVID to the strains of tariffs — his optimism never wavered.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, car values are wavering.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 15 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 21 Oct. 2025.

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