falter

[ fawl-ter ]

/ ˈfɔl tər /

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See synonyms for: falter / faltered / faltering / falteringly 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.

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Origin of falter

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

OTHER WORDS FROM falter

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

Words nearby falter

falsity, Falstaff, Falstaffian, Falster, faltboat, falter, Falun, Falun Gong, Falwell, falx, falx cerebelli

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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|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
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 Parker
Consummate liar and comedian, or true man and no pretender, his eyes did not falter.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete|Gilbert Parker
He shivers a little, but does not falter, and continues to walk with erect head and chest thrown out.
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet
He 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

falter

/ (ˈfɔːltə) /

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 forms of falter

falterer, 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

falter

Origin of falter

OTHER WORDS FROM falter

Words nearby falter

Words related to falter

How to use falter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for falter

Derived forms of falter

Word Origin for falter