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
The Broncos faltered in the snow, the Nuggets floundered on the hardwood, and now the Avalanche fail on ice.
—
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
That faith in his ability and focus had faltered at times over the course of this tempestuous and trying campaign, but it has been restored at the last.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Past attempts to develop the site have faltered, making Tuesday’s council vote the first major step toward future planning in years.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Over the next two years, Mango faltered and racked up a substantial amount of debt before Toni Ruiz led a turnaround.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Everlane's finances have faltered in recent years.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 22 May 2026
Falter has, well, faltered since coming over to the Royals last year.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
The ceasefire remains tenuous, with diplomatic efforts for a more durable peace having faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026
Diplomatic efforts aimed at a more durable peace have faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 17 May 2026
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
That faith in his ability and focus had faltered at times over the course of this tempestuous and trying campaign, but it has been restored at the last.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Past attempts to develop the site have faltered, making Tuesday’s council vote the first major step toward future planning in years.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Over the next two years, Mango faltered and racked up a substantial amount of debt before Toni Ruiz led a turnaround.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Everlane's finances have faltered in recent years.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 22 May 2026
Falter has, well, faltered since coming over to the Royals last year.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
The ceasefire remains tenuous, with diplomatic efforts for a more durable peace having faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026
Diplomatic efforts aimed at a more durable peace have faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faltered
Verb
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But at the last second, Pages pulled up to let Tucker make the catch, and Tucker hesitated before flailing after it.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Pasco County schools Superintendent John Legg said his team has hesitated to dive too deeply into the amendment’s implications, knowing that the Legislature — particularly the House — has yet to weigh in.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Minnesota found its groove in the fourth quarter, while San Antonio’s legs wobbled.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
-
If everyone succeeded, the box got shorter for the next round, while the other participants hovered nearby to catch anyone who wobbled.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
3 May 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
-
In the corner of the room, Kyle Schwarber shook his head.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The Highlanders will have one less coach than usual for the CIF LA City Section Open Division championship in South Gate on Saturday after an accident shook the Highlanders to their core Monday.—
Ethan Hanson,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Blue Origin officials have been able to get a closer look in recent days at the site where the company's towering New Glenn rocket exploded in a dramatic fireball that rocked Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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The collapse of Swalwell’s campaign rocked the crowded race, and left room for other candidates to surge in the polls.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Those sorts of successful plays, though, have been relatively rare — although Young has never wavered in his public support of Legette.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
-
Paton’s word never wavered, though.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
As Aden Kassaye and her mother got out to inspect the damage, Beas Solorio reportedly lurched the BMW forward, making contact with Ayalew’s torso, prompting Ayalew to slam her hands on the BMW’s hood to brace herself and yell at the driver.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
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So between those two things, the balance of gerrymanders has lurched pretty abruptly toward the right.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Faltered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faltered. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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