1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of falters
Alice never falters in her suspicions.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
But when their friendship falters, Minnie is forced to navigate her own identity.
—Teresa Xie, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Trying to hold all of that in, trying to be the one who never falters is not sustainable.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
What never falters is the euphoric chaos of the experience.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Where the film falters is in its plodding rhythm and clunky dialogue, much of which is delivered too flatly by actors who don’t exactly steal their scenes.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Remove access and time, and even the strongest student falters.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Saturday reveals who adapts best when their initial game plan falters.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But again, the editing is where the experiment truly falters.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
But when their friendship falters, Minnie is forced to navigate her own identity.
—Teresa Xie, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Trying to hold all of that in, trying to be the one who never falters is not sustainable.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
What never falters is the euphoric chaos of the experience.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Where the film falters is in its plodding rhythm and clunky dialogue, much of which is delivered too flatly by actors who don’t exactly steal their scenes.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Remove access and time, and even the strongest student falters.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Saturday reveals who adapts best when their initial game plan falters.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But again, the editing is where the experiment truly falters.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters
Verb
-
When pressed on what a new economic system for the age of AGI might look like, Hunter-Torricke hesitates.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
If someone hesitates, give them time to respond, because shared goals deserve space for honest input.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The grades look normal, the homework gets turned in, and then a new unit shows up, and the whole thing wobbles.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Over the next two weeks, these shifts could start to be felt in North America, Europe and Asia as the polar vortex weakens and tumbles south, like a spinning top that slows and wobbles off course.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Wood shakes offer natural beauty but are less fire—and moisture-resistant, so they are prohibited in certain regions.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Everyone shakes hands when a match ends and then retires to the bar, where the winners are supposed to buy the losers a beer.—
Dave Altimari,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mind shudders at the thought.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If confidence wavers, share your draft with a trusted friend, and remember that feedback is fuel rather than a stop sign.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No one rocks a short haircut quite like Halle Berry.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Lawrence rocks this statement piece by pairing it with more casual items like a simple black tote bag, a beanie, and a pair of neutral colored pants.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
-
After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But The Gilded Age doesn’t do pure villains with its main cast, and Oscar totters between failson and tragic figure, the closeted heir of the Van Rhijn family dragged to hell and back after being defrauded of his mother’s fortune.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Falters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falters. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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