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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use falter in a sentence
He too warned that an ISIS victory would mark the end of the faltering peace process between the Turkish Kurds and Ankara.
Impotent U.S. Airstrikes, Passive Turks and an ISIS Triumph | Jamie Dettmer | October 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTModels are always a few faltering footsteps away from breaking an ankle (or worse).
Up, Up, Up: The Hottest High Heels in History | Lizzie Crocker | September 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis massive undertaking, to turn faltering Arab armies into chauvinist counter-insurgents, is named “Operation Suleimani.”
Iran’s Top Spy Is the Modern-Day Karla, John Le Carré’s Villainous Mastermind | Michael Weiss | July 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor one thing, the Chinese economy, after 35 years of virtually uninterrupted expansion, is faltering.
At the U.S.-China Summit, Friendship Isn’t What Matters | Gordon G. Chang | June 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe speech was the profound misdiagnosis of a faltering presidency—a misdiagnosis that is decidedly not the problem today.
He summoned up all his strength for one last trial, and bent his faltering steps towards it.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensShe knew that she was to be led from that cell to a violent death, and yet no faltering of soul could be detected.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. AbbottHe advanced towards me with little faltering steps, took me by the hand and led me to his little girl.
Marguerite | Anatole France“I hope Jacko will never see any body shave,” said Minnie, in a faltering voice.
Minnie's Pet Monkey | Madeline LeslieYet, how familiar everything looked as the girl went with weak, faltering footsteps up the broad steps into the lighted hall.
They Looked and Loved | Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
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
Browse