as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
when it's so clear that this is the right thing to do, there's no excuse for faltering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hesitating
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trembling
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
as in wobbly
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of faltering
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
As prices are increasing, reliability is faltering.
—Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
The deliberate display of unity is a pointed rebuke to Trump’s faltering attempt to end Russia’s war in Ukraine – and an open challenge to America’s waning global leadership under the US president.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
In a market where subscriber fatigue is real and traditional playbooks are faltering, agility may count more than size.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Hurricane Katrina survivor Robert Green displays a photo of his mother Joyce, who perished in the floodwaters, inside his faltering Lower Ninth Ward home on August 11, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The second season of the reality series, which reinvigorated a genre that was faltering in the TV world, premiered in May and ran through July.
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
His decision, which would make the men eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender laws, came at a moment when his own reelection campaign was struggling and his poll numbers were faltering.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Taxes are rising, the economy is faltering, the power grid is blacking out, energy prices are skyrocketing, violent crime is rampant and unaudited non-profit funding in the billions creates the appearance of mismanagement at the best and corruption at the worst.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2025
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Anniek Bao,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
Investors’ long-running enthusiasm for artificial intelligence showed signs of faltering late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning as tech stocks tumbled.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025
Because real power isn’t about never faltering.
—Yann Dang, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Well, a slowdown in jobs growth implies a faltering economy, which has generally been bad for stocks.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
As prices are increasing, reliability is faltering.
—Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
The deliberate display of unity is a pointed rebuke to Trump’s faltering attempt to end Russia’s war in Ukraine – and an open challenge to America’s waning global leadership under the US president.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
In a market where subscriber fatigue is real and traditional playbooks are faltering, agility may count more than size.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Hurricane Katrina survivor Robert Green displays a photo of his mother Joyce, who perished in the floodwaters, inside his faltering Lower Ninth Ward home on August 11, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The second season of the reality series, which reinvigorated a genre that was faltering in the TV world, premiered in May and ran through July.
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
His decision, which would make the men eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender laws, came at a moment when his own reelection campaign was struggling and his poll numbers were faltering.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Taxes are rising, the economy is faltering, the power grid is blacking out, energy prices are skyrocketing, violent crime is rampant and unaudited non-profit funding in the billions creates the appearance of mismanagement at the best and corruption at the worst.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
And the media went along with her coverup, despite Biden’s obvious faltering.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
China's housing downturn has stretched into a fourth year, with prices, sales, investment and construction activity faltering across the board.
—Anniek Bao,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
Investors’ long-running enthusiasm for artificial intelligence showed signs of faltering late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning as tech stocks tumbled.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025
Because real power isn’t about never faltering.
—Yann Dang, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faltering
Noun
-
And if a player is Premier League-proven, there is also less hesitation to pay big sums of money to other domestic clubs.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Now ready for pre-sale, the Sync Oven and Sync Air Fryer exemplify an idea beyond a kitchen tool, one that replaces hesitation with clarity and guesswork with certainty.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As adults, this pattern can look like hesitating to ask for help, avoiding vulnerability or keeping emotional struggles private, even from those closest to you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Concerns about the economy and tariffs do have some companies hesitating to make long-term decisions, but even with that concern, more are taking on long-term leases than were a year ago, CBRE found.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The fresh survey of consumer sentiment came at a wobbly moment for the nation's economy.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
But from the brand’s evolution from wobbly rookie to making and taking its place in the field, Pete always covered Iman with serious interest, insight and importance.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The pause will last three years and could save restaurants $850 in fees annually while potentially boosting their sales.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
15 Sep. 2025
-
People hear your tone, your pauses, your personality.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jurors saw some wobbling footage that appeared to be taken from inside a bush, though prosecutors did not explicitly make clear if the footage was taken from Routh's perch.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
With job growth tanking and the economy wobbling, pressure is on for the Federal Reserve to start lowering interest rates, with markets now expecting a cut at each of the three remaining meetings this year.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In a world that is polarized, volatile, uncertain, complex and shifting all the time, your leadership can offer a beacon of both continuity and hope.—
Tracy Brower,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
That leaves uncertain whether the threats might actually lead to new tariffs or a ban on Russian oil purchases.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That could alleviate some of the problems, including hesitancy that some pharmacists and doctors have because of the changing rules and confusion.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
-
If there was any hesitancy about embracing a comedian with no filter, Notre Dame is now in on the joke.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a new video with Insightec, the Oscar-winning screenwriter, 76, opened up about struggling for years with essential tremor, which left him unable to do simple tasks without shaking, such as holding a cup or writing by hand.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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Steam the clams until the shells open, 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the size of the clams, shaking the pan once or twice.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Faltering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faltering. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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