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
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
Carbon dioxide builds up in the bloodstream, hypoxia sets in, and circulation falters.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The film falters, however, once something resembling an actual plot kicks in.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
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
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
Carbon dioxide builds up in the bloodstream, hypoxia sets in, and circulation falters.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The film falters, however, once something resembling an actual plot kicks in.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters
Verb
-
If someone hesitates, give them time to respond, because shared goals deserve space for honest input.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Poppy initially hesitates but ends up apologizing to Sarah, admitting that her deep connection with Alex had gotten in the way of her relationship.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 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
-
As a rule of thumb, protein shakes should only be used to fill gaps.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Their barking shakes the windows.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 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
-
His role has vacillated from being a starter or an offensive catalyst off the bench, but his attitude never wavers.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Finally comes Mia, who rocks it.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The two embrace, and Benson rocks Riley gently.—
Alex Ross,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
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 8 Feb. 2026.
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