falter

[fawl-ter]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR falter ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

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.

verb (used with object)

to utter hesitatingly or brokenly: to falter an apology.

noun

the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.

a faltering sound.

Nearby words

Origin of falter

1300–50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Old Norse faltrast to bother with, be troubled with

Related forms

fal·ter·er, nounfal·ter·ing·ly, adverbnon·fal·ter·ing, adjectivenon·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb

un·fal·ter·ing, adjectiveun·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for falter

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|DAILY BEAST
Both 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|DAILY BEAST
She 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|DAILY BEAST
It 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|DAILY BEAST

The more Palin and Tebow falter, the more rabid their supporters become.
Why Tim Tebow Is the Sarah Palin of Football|Allison Yarrow|January 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And it was because you did not falter, because you risked all, that you gained me.
The Inside of the Cup, Complete|Winston Churchill
Volley after volley thundered down upon them as they climbed, but not once did the dodging charge up the slope pause or falter.
The Master of Appleby|Francis Lynde
Mary, entirely taken by surprise, could only falter, ‘I can only do whatever he wishes.’
That Stick|Charlotte M. Yonge
All memory of Sayre, if there indeed had been any to make her falter in her purpose, now departed.
The Gay Rebellion|Robert W. Chambers
Still since even such a situation called for a retort he essayed one in a falter that travestied the boldness of his words.
A Pagan of the Hills|Charles Neville Buck

British Dictionary definitions for falter

falter

verb

(intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver

(intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble

to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer

noun

uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action

a quavering or irregular sound

Derived Formsfalterer, nounfalteringly, adverb

Word Origin for falter

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic faltrast

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

Word Origin and History for falter

falter

mid-14c., of unknown origin, possibly from a Scandinavian source (cf. Old Norse faltrask "be burdened, hesitate, be troubled"), or a frequentative of Middle English falden "to fold," influenced by fault. Related: Faltered; faltering.

falter

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of falter

Examples from the Web for falter

falter

verb

noun

Word Origin for falter

falter