FALTERS Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

falters

verb

present tense third-person singular of falter

as in hesitates

to show uncertainty about the right course of action William Lloyd Garrison never once faltered in his demand that slavery be unconditionally abolished

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in trembles

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of falters However, turning advanced materials from lab success into commercial products often falters at the production stage, where slow manufacturing and harsh chemical inputs make mass production prohibitively expensive and unsafe. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 The Clemson junior from Rienzi, Mississippi is chasing a football career, but if that falters might chose to follow his parents into the military. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 Lucy’s constant sense of invention sometimes falters under the album’s new, megawatt spotlight, lacking the enticing mystery that gives their best music its power. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026 Power play falters For the first time this season, the Oilers power play was a no-show, going 0-for-3 in the first period. — Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Colorado Parks and Wildlife will temporarily stop killing wolves that repeatedly prey on livestock — in most cases — as the state’s population of the controversial canines falters. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2026 But Friedlich falters at making those exchanges spark with a sense of the real. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 The third such report from the powerful Board of Supervisors last week is very similar to language in a Paramount statement of September 8 detailing harsh consequences if the merger falters. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 The opposite political party of whichever leads the White House fares well, while the leading party falters. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters

Verb

Smear certainly finds Ides of March star Clooney, who never hesitates to put his politics and star power to work, and the rest of the cast stepping into some deep, murky and often digital waters.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Deanna hesitates, still wounded by the estrangement, but opens the house again.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitates

Verb

Bake pie until edges of filling are set and slightly puffed but center still wobbles a little when gently shaken, 40–50 minutes (filling will continue to set after baking).

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026
If the fan wobbles noticeably at the ceiling or the mounting assembly moves, turn it off and have an electrician or qualified ceiling fan technician inspect it.

— Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of wobbles

Verb

Protein shakes, such as those made with whey protein, may support weight loss by increasing satiety and helping preserve lean muscle mass during a calorie deficit.

— Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 2 Nov. 2026
The video shows Morales making a few sharp moves with the steering wheel before the SUV shakes.

— Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of shakes

Verb

The system shudders a bit and then gets back to normal, like a person stubbing a toe or twisting an ankle faces discomfort and difficulty walking for a while.

— Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The American flag has never been among those Davis shudders to make.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026

Definition of shudders

Verb

The Monitor's View As Americans’ trust in elections wavers, local officials and volunteers are strengthening safeguards – and making sure more voters know about it.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026
If the laser beam wavers even slightly, defects ruin the crystalline structure.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of wavers

Verb

Hop on the #6 double-decker from Central to Stanley beach, which lurches around Hong Kong Island's mountainous southern South China Sea coast (sit upstairs on the right-hand side).

— Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
He is disoriented, and the plane lurches toward becoming inverted.

— Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurches

Browse Nearby Words

falteringly

falters

fame

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“Falters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falters. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of falters

verb

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