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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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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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 Extreme heat is redefining electricity as emergency infrastructure, pushing grids to their limits as demand soars and supply falters. — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 While the federal government remains indispensable in public health, these state-level collaborations demonstrated that regional governance can emerge quickly when national leadership falters. — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026 The system implemented by the National Weather Service falters mathematically when both the temperature and humidity are particularly high. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 Conquerors and autocrats may win the immediate battle by bullying their subjects into submission, but their empires inevitably crumble the moment their iron grip falters. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026 If Clark falters or Shinnecock Hills rises up — now less likely with the wind expected to calm down — then Scheffler figures to be the best bet to scoop up the trophy and wrap up the career Grand Slam. — ABC News, 20 June 2026 Such investors might be more inclined to dump their shares if the company's growth falters, rather than ride out the storm, Grelck said. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 10 June 2026 Sometimes, things get a bit heavy-handed, and while there’s certainly room for museums to bear the stamp of their founders, as do the Frick Collection in New York, the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and many others, Alice Walton’s vision sometimes falters in execution. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026 If Fortner falters, the Panthers will have Hecht waiting to take over. — Mike Kaye june 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for falters

Verb

Your vehicle hesitates when shifting gears A short pause or delay between pressing the gas and your car responding is an early sign of transmission trouble.

— Michael Kurko, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
If someone hesitates, gently restate the goal and offer one reasonable option while staying loyal to your own needs.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026

Definition of hesitates

Verb

Put plainly, the body that watches over the global financial system, chaired by the governor of the Bank of England, is saying the prices these funds report rest partly on judgment, and that the judgment wobbles precisely when it is tested.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Sketch a plan for practice, then show up even if motivation wobbles.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026

Definition of wobbles

Verb

As to whether Sassnitz shakes off its nicknames from last year, that partly depends on what happens this weekend.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
The Democratic Party on Saturday officially set its 2028 presidential primary calendar, shakes it up a bit, and puts six states now in the mix to be voting before March of 2028.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of shakes

Verb

The American flag has never been among those Davis shudders to make.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Nothing much really happens in this movie after Philip’s initial arrest, but the world viscerally shudders under Lucy’s feet every time one of her husband’s alibis falls apart.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 May 2026

Definition of shudders

Verb

The film unhurriedly lurches from one markedly similar fight scene to the next, with only Skeletor’s occasional injections of ripe innuendo to liven them up a bit.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 June 2026
By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026

Definition of lurches

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falteringly

falters

fame

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“Falters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falters. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of falters

verb

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