falter

American  

[fawl-ter] / ˈfɔl tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way.

   Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.

2. to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.

3. to move unsteadily; stumble.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter hesitatingly or brokenly.

   to falter an apology.

noun

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

2. a faltering sound.

falter British  

/ ˈfɔːltə /

verb

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

2. (intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble

3. to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer

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noun

1. uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action

2. a quavering or irregular sound

Other Word Forms

• falterer noun
• falteringly adverb
• nonfaltering adjective
• nonfalteringly adverb
• unfaltering adjective
• unfalteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of falter

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

Example Sentences

Still, the economy can only sustain so many blows before it begins to falter.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

That can help the company grow even as EV sales falter in the new year.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Prices for silver, platinum and palladium, meanwhile, could falter if global growth slows or there is a recession in a major economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

The home support will be expecting three points - but if Forest falter the pressure on Dyche will intensify.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

There was no sign of road or track, but Shadowfax did not stay or falter.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

Related Words

• flounder
• hesitate
• reel
• waver
• wobble