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
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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
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Recent Examples of falters
For instance, the show’s portrayal of larger-bodied characters falters, particularly given that body shame is one of its central critiques.
—
Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Brown is likely a lock unless his usual consistency falters in the long program on Saturday.
—Lillian Karabaic, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Even when Cregger holds his mythology deceptively close to the chest, the emotional intrigue never falters in the wake of a mass disappearance that saw more than 30 local children disappear.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
Sometimes India’s balancing act falters.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Up ⬆ The Secret Agent If Wicked falters, which on-the-bubble contender could step up?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
But to the unlikely role of a Bogart-esque reluctant hero, Leonardo DiCaprio brings an intensity that compels even when the script falters.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025
If diplomacy falters, the administration could escalate military or covert operations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Property taxes serve as a safety valve for local governments when state aid declines or the economy falters, Walczak argues.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Brown is likely a lock unless his usual consistency falters in the long program on Saturday.
—Lillian Karabaic, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Even when Cregger holds his mythology deceptively close to the chest, the emotional intrigue never falters in the wake of a mass disappearance that saw more than 30 local children disappear.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
Sometimes India’s balancing act falters.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Up ⬆ The Secret Agent If Wicked falters, which on-the-bubble contender could step up?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
But to the unlikely role of a Bogart-esque reluctant hero, Leonardo DiCaprio brings an intensity that compels even when the script falters.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025
If diplomacy falters, the administration could escalate military or covert operations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Property taxes serve as a safety valve for local governments when state aid declines or the economy falters, Walczak argues.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters
Verb
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The Broncos’ wide receivers had four drops in the first half, and BSU failed twice on fourth down when going for it, something Danielson seldom hesitates to do.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Nov. 2025
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In the final scene, Lee hesitates for a moment before letting Stella choose.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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White Lotus fans are used to seeing Patrick Schwarzenegger reveling in a luxurious island vacation at Thailand’s Four Seasons Koh Samui, with protein shakes in hand, of course.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
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Nix shakes hands with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen at the end of Saturday's game.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The mind shudders at the thought.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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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
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In season two, based on the nine of 15 total episodes provided to critics, the restraint wavers and the balance begins to tilt.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
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Throughout, the depth and quality of Sullivan’s attention to prosaic detail—even plain and unappealing objects—never wavers.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Across the Atlantic, Usher attends the Louis Vuitton menswear fashion show in Paris, and back in Los Angeles, Jennifer Lopez rocks a blazer for a business meeting.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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Garner frequently rocks bangs both on and off the red carpet.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
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Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.—
Claire Galofaro,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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 29 Jan. 2026.
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