falter
verb (used without object)
to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way.
had been faltering
-
past perfect progressiveof falter.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cuba's already frail grid, largely dependent on antiquated, Soviet-era oil-fired generation plants, had been faltering for months ahead of the storm.
From Reuters ● Sep. 28, 2022
Growth had been faltering even before 2020 and the pandemic has made matters worse.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2021
While COVID-19 caused a historic drop in American life expectancy, the country's collective mortality rate had been faltering for quite some time.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2021
The relatively quick triumph of British forces revived Thatcher’s political fortunes, which had been faltering along with the British economy.
From Time ● Apr. 8, 2013
He did not want to have a secret, humiliating memory by and by that he had been faltering and distracted when his life depended on his wits and endurance.
From Camp and Trail A Story of the Maine Woods by Isabel Hornibrook
