FALTER Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'falter' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of falter are hesitate , vacillate , and waver . While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear. // never once faltered during her testimony

Q: When would 'hesitate' be a good substitute for 'falter'?

The words hesitate and falter can be used in similar contexts, but hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing. // hesitated before answering the question

Q: When is 'vacillate' a more appropriate choice than 'falter'?

The synonyms vacillate and falter are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision. // vacillated until events were out of control

Q: In what contexts can 'waver' take the place of 'falter'?

In some situations, the words waver and falter are roughly equivalent. However, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat. // wavered in his support of the rebels

falter

verb

ˈfȯl-tər

Definition of falter next

as in to hesitate

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

as in to tremble

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

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How does the verb falter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of falter are hesitate, vacillate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

When would hesitate be a good substitute for falter?

The words hesitate and falter can be used in similar contexts, but hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When is vacillate a more appropriate choice than falter?

The synonyms vacillate and falter are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

In what contexts can waver take the place of falter?

In some situations, the words waver and falter are roughly equivalent. However, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

Examples Sentences

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 falter There isn't a consensus as to why Callas' voice faltered, but there are several theories that historians and opera experts believe could've contributed to its decline. —

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024 Saka scored a goal in each half before Kai Havertz got the third two minutes before the final whistle to get the Gunners back to winning ways after Mikel Arteta’s side faltered to a draw against Fulham on Sunday. —

Matias Grez, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 The recent Global Plastics Treaty talks in Busan faltered, exposing deeper interconnections between the climate and plastics crises. —

Nils Rokke, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Watching this in February, amid a faltering spring of Broadway openings, was a reminder that musicals can function both as works of spectacle and ideas. —

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for falter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter

Verb

On 12 Pell’s lively social media accounts, the young, predominantly Asian American barbers don’t hesitate to offer advice to teens and men of all ages and ethnicities with humor, quips and confidence.

Deepti Hajela, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
The challenge winner did not hesitate in telling the group of her decision, which was that Sam and Teeny would square off at fire and have an opportunity to fight for a chance to lose to Rachel at the end.

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024