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.

Origin of falter

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

Related formsfal·ter·er, nounfal·ter·ing·ly, adverbnon·fal·ter·ing, adjectivenon·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverbun·fal·ter·ing, adjectiveun·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb

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

Related Words for unfaltering

abiding, bound, enduring, firm, indefatigable, mulish, persevering, pigheaded, resolute, set, steady, stubborn, sure, tireless, unfailing, unflagging, unflappable, unflinching, unqualified, unswerving

Examples from the Web for unfaltering

Historical Examples of unfaltering

He hesitated, looking at her firmly with his unfaltering gaze.
A Spirit in Prison
Robert Hichens
From that time until the present year she has been unfaltering in her devotion.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV
Various
But courage was unfaltering, faith undimmed, power unabated.
Masterpieces of Negro Eloquence
Various
How many reasons for your deep and unfaltering affection for each other!
The Wedding Ring
T. De Witt Talmage
Now, from Alicia's manner it was plain that the blow had fallen from an unfaltering hand.
Half a Hero
Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for unfaltering

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 unfaltering

adj.

1660s, from un- (1) "not" + present participle of falter. Related: Unfalteringly.

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.