Synonyms of faltered

faltered

verb

past tense of falter

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

• hesitated
• wavered
• vacillated
• halted
• waited
• paused
• staggered
• dithered
• scrupled
• hung back
• debated
• wobbled
• teetered
• balanced
• swayed
• lingered
• delayed
• pondered
• dawdled
• shilly-shallied
• procrastinated
• hawed
• hemmed
• deliberated
• weighed
• equivocated
• backed down
• waffled
• oscillated
• considered
• dallied
• chickened (out)
• hedged
• pussyfooted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decided
• plunged (in)
• continued
• stirred
• dived (in)
• advanced
• budged

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

• trembled
• wobbled
• shuddered
• shook
• rocked
• wavered
• lurched
• tottered
• vibrated
• quivered
• teetered
• floundered
• stumbled
• staggered
• reeled
• weaved
• quavered
• quaked
• toddled
• careened

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of faltered

Other elements of this team that were so strong last year also faltered, from pass protection to the tight ends to Davante Adams to the run defense and overall pass rush. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Many musicians have faltered when trying to follow their first, most famous song. — Katie Heaney, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026

The Spectrum rocket faltered on its first test flight in March 2025, when the launcher spun out of control less than 20 seconds after liftoff and crashed near the launch pad. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026

Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Their starting pitching has been outstanding lately, but the hitters and the bullpen have faltered. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2026

In the rest of the state, Graham prevailed — including in the Charleston area, where former governor and congressman Mark Sanford endorsed Norman after his own Senate campaign faltered. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

But their turnout in Broward, the state’s last big remaining Democratic stronghold, faltered. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Summary The Philadelphia Phillies' 2026 season hopes for their back-end rotation and bullpen have faltered, prompting a search for pitching upgrades. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026