1
as in hesitated
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trembled
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of faltered
When Johnson faltered, Clark had plenty of breathing room — and a quick turnaround.
—
Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Still up seven games in the NL East, the Braves (46-27) are in an offensive funk over the past week, and the team’s good starting pitching has faltered some.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 18 June 2026
The relentless posting of videos the Russian authorities have tried to limit shows growing dissent, and message management that has ultimately faltered.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
But as Tomorrow’s wholesale business faltered against a challenging industry backdrop, Coperni claims this cashflow dried up.
—Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 17 June 2026
The Wisconsin fake electors case is moving forward even as others in the battleground states of Michigan and Georgia have faltered.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
Despite some strong moments, Severance’s second season faltered, as did The Last of Us, and there’s no need to look too closely at what happened with Squid Game.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026
The Wisconsin fake electors case is moving forward even as others in the battleground states of Michigan and Georgia have faltered.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
Tynan Lawrence was at one point in the conversation toward the top of the class, but his offensive production really faltered after making the midseason jump from the USHL to NCAA hockey at Boston University.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Still up seven games in the NL East, the Braves (46-27) are in an offensive funk over the past week, and the team’s good starting pitching has faltered some.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 18 June 2026
The relentless posting of videos the Russian authorities have tried to limit shows growing dissent, and message management that has ultimately faltered.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
But as Tomorrow’s wholesale business faltered against a challenging industry backdrop, Coperni claims this cashflow dried up.
—Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 17 June 2026
The Wisconsin fake electors case is moving forward even as others in the battleground states of Michigan and Georgia have faltered.
—CBS News, 17 June 2026
Despite some strong moments, Severance’s second season faltered, as did The Last of Us, and there’s no need to look too closely at what happened with Squid Game.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026
The Wisconsin fake electors case is moving forward even as others in the battleground states of Michigan and Georgia have faltered.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
Tynan Lawrence was at one point in the conversation toward the top of the class, but his offensive production really faltered after making the midseason jump from the USHL to NCAA hockey at Boston University.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faltered
Verb
-
Keep in mind, Andy, Woody’s first and beloved owner, wanted to keep Woody with him, even in college, and hesitated for a moment before giving him up to Bonnie in Toy Story 3.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Suddenly, the tent jerked and wobbled.—
Dolores Brown,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
-
Sunny Side of the Doc may have wobbled after its 36th edition.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The way the stadium shuddered with noise.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
At least the elevator still creaked and shuddered, as in the old days, finally trembling open on the eighth floor.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The catastrophic part of the book is shockingly witty and beautiful, but the first part shook me even more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
-
Some shook their head when they were first handed the headsets.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The sudden controversy over the caps has rocked the sports world in recent days.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
The fatal crash has rocked the small Missouri city as state, local and federal officials comb through evidence to pinpoint its cause.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Even given the wonky sound, Sheeran’s voice never wavered.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
However, Sasaki’s command wavered in the fifth.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Latin America has lurched rightward in recent elections, as governments scramble to curtail violence stemming from record cocaine production.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
21 June 2026
-
As the carriage lurched forward, the teen’s mother fell from the vehicle, prompting Romanch Mahajan to jump out in an effort to help her, The Times reported.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Faltered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faltered. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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