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 wobbles
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
Writer-director Andrew DeYoung’s Friendship, which cast him as a lonely guy who befriends, alienates, then becomes fixated on a cool neighbor (Paul Rudd), has some great moments but falters midway through due to a predictable plot.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Thiago shines while Fernandes falters Brentford produced one of the standout results of the weekend with a convincing 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Max Verstappen's victories in the last two Grands Prix have brought him back into the championship fight, although the 69-point gap to Piastri can only be achieved if McLaren falters on every race weekend.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
But as a violent storm traps him in isolation, Drew’s body falters and his mind begins to unravel.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
If the party’s old guard falters, look out.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Pure vision uses high-definition cameras to perceive and navigate, but performance falters in poor lighting conditions, and positioning is often lost.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Deals collapse when communication falters.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
His gentleman burglar act falters before long.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Judy Berman, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Thiago shines while Fernandes falters Brentford produced one of the standout results of the weekend with a convincing 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Max Verstappen's victories in the last two Grands Prix have brought him back into the championship fight, although the 69-point gap to Piastri can only be achieved if McLaren falters on every race weekend.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
But as a violent storm traps him in isolation, Drew’s body falters and his mind begins to unravel.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
If the party’s old guard falters, look out.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Pure vision uses high-definition cameras to perceive and navigate, but performance falters in poor lighting conditions, and positioning is often lost.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Deals collapse when communication falters.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
His gentleman burglar act falters before long.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters
Verb
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If the alliance hesitates, Putin will see weakness and press harder.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The actress hesitates for only a second before divulging the story.—
Galina Espinoza,
Flow Space,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Our economy wobbles but returns to growth.—
John Hope Bryant,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
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Land awkwardly on the kerb and your rider wobbles convincingly.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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According to a Consumer Reports study, a number of popular protein powders and shakes contain high levels of lead.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
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Protein shakes and powders are a popular option for people looking to accomplish that goal.—
Rob Williams,
EverydayHealth.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the clip, Miska is surrounded by blankets, clutching a plush toy, and resting peacefully as the swing rocks gently.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … HONOR CODE BUST – Navy scandal rocks Democratic candidate as new poll shows gubernatorial race tied.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement While Mun-ju wavers in her aspiration to become the next president of Korea across the series’ nine episodes, Jung knew a commitment to that goal would be the character’s ending point.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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Brayden Yager appears to be the opposite of that — a centreman whose all-around game should be enough to win NHL minutes even if his offence wavers at the pro level.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite that notable change, watching One Battle After Another is much like the experience of reading Pynchon, who lurches from high comedy to stomach-turning naturalism and punctuates plot-heavy sequences with little grace notes of character portraiture.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
24 Sep. 2025
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That film begins with charismatic bank robber Ryan Gosling in a thrilling motorcycle escape from the cops, and moves through several twists and turns, lurches forward in time, and holds Gosling at its heart as a man doing bad things for good reasons.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Falters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falters. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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