falter
to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way: Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.
to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.
to move unsteadily; stumble.
to utter hesitatingly or brokenly: to falter an apology.
the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.
a faltering sound.
Origin of falter
1Other words from falter
- fal·ter·er, noun
- fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb
- non·fal·ter·ing, adjective
- non·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb
- un·fal·ter·ing, adjective
- un·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb
Words Nearby falter
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use falter in a sentence
Every one of those models began to falter within 30 years or so.
Sunday Q&A: Josef Joffe on the Myth of American Decline | Michael Moynihan | November 17, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBoth women now adamantly believe the negotiations will falter and their sons will serve out the rest of their terms.
Palestinian Prisoners Are Released And No One Cares | Maysoon Zayid | August 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTShe was still going strong as she turned 100 and his own health began to falter.
Anthony Marshall Heads to Prison, Ending the Brooke Astor Affair | Michael Daly | June 22, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIt says that if you falter, the powers that be will more likely see criminality than youthful indiscretion.
After Trayvon, Reminding My Black Sons To Be Careful | Lynn Toler | April 20, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe more Palin and Tebow falter, the more rabid their supporters become.
The man who would face a cannon's mouth would falter before the face of a woman whom he could crumple with one hand.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete | Gilbert ParkerConsummate liar and comedian, or true man and no pretender, his eyes did not falter.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete | Gilbert ParkerHe shivers a little, but does not falter, and continues to walk with erect head and chest thrown out.
The Nabob | Alphonse DaudetHe is grim and gruff; his voice is deep, and he has rough words for those who falter in duty; but he has a tender heart.
The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.Some roll to the bottom of the hill, the lamp of life extinguished forever; but their surviving comrades do not falter.
The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.
British Dictionary definitions for falter
/ (ˈfɔːltə) /
(intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver
(intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble
to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer
uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action
a quavering or irregular sound
Origin of falter
1Derived forms of falter
- falterer, noun
- falteringly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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