Synonyms of falter

falter

verb

ˈfȯl-tər 

1

as in to hesitate

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

• hesitate
• waver
• vacillate
• stagger
• wait
• halt
• hang back
• scruple
• debate
• dither
• pause
• wabble
• wobble
• balance
• teeter
• sway
• linger
• shilly-shally
• ponder
• delay
• procrastinate
• haw
• dawdle
• weigh
• deliberate
• hem
• back down
• oscillate
• chicken (out)
• equivocate
• consider
• hedge
• waffle
• dally
• pussyfoot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decide
• continue
• stir
• plunge (in)
• dive (in)
• advance
• budge

2

as in to tremble

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tremble
• wobble
• shake
• waver
• shudder
• rock
• totter
• lurch
• vibrate
• wabble
• stumble
• quiver
• flounder
• teeter
• stagger
• quake
• toddle
• reel
• quaver
• weave
• careen

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

Recent Examples of falter

Once again Israelis didn’t falter. —Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

The war was coming to a close when his job had been terminated altogether as the Confederate government faltered toward its slow but certain collapse. —Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

This reliance on billionaire donors makes parties fragile — when one exits, the whole coalition falters. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

Time itself begins to falter — clocks spin strangely, pipes clog without reason, and most tragically, Lucius’ once-perfect soufflés have gone from magical to inedible. —Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025