FALTER Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'falter' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of falter are hesitate , vacillate , and waver . While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear. // never once faltered during her testimony

Q: When would 'hesitate' be a good substitute for 'falter'?

The words hesitate and falter can be used in similar contexts, but hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing. // hesitated before answering the question

Q: When is 'vacillate' a more appropriate choice than 'falter'?

The synonyms vacillate and falter are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision. // vacillated until events were out of control

Q: In what contexts can 'waver' take the place of 'falter'?

In some situations, the words waver and falter are roughly equivalent. However, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat. // wavered in his support of the rebels

falter

verb

ˈfȯl-tər

Definition of falter

as in to hesitate

to show uncertainty about the right course of action William Lloyd Garrison never once faltered in his demand that slavery be unconditionally abolished

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to tremble

to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side the cut tree seemed to falter for a moment before crashing to the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb falter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of falter are hesitate, vacillate, and waver. While all these words mean "to show irresolution or uncertainty," falter implies a wavering or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of courage, or outright fear.

never once faltered during her testimony

When would hesitate be a good substitute for falter?

The words hesitate and falter can be used in similar contexts, but hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing.

hesitated before answering the question

When is vacillate a more appropriate choice than falter?

The synonyms vacillate and falter are sometimes interchangeable, but vacillate implies prolonged hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision.

vacillated until events were out of control

In what contexts can waver take the place of falter?

In some situations, the words waver and falter are roughly equivalent. However, waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

wavered in his support of the rebels

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of falter Lucy’s constant sense of invention sometimes falters under the album’s new, megawatt spotlight, lacking the enticing mystery that gives their best music its power. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026 As the economy faltered, an orderly, healthy home could be sold as a form of salvation, with prosperity seemingly within reach. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Their bullpen faltered after coming up big during their fast postseason start. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Their bullpen faltered after coming up big in their fast postseason start. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for falter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for falter

Verb

While its lawyers have not hesitated to send cease-and-desist letters to AI companies, Disney is among the big media companies looking for ways to get in the AI game and profit from its boom.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Please have a plan in place should flash flooding develop and do not hesitate to act.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

But now, the occupation seems to tremble before Palestinian children holding paper and string.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Those afflicted would tremble and jerk around, lose the ability to stand or swallow, and, after many months of slow suffering, die.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of tremble

Verb

Between increasing costs and construction challenges from the BRT project, some small, longtime businesses have wobbled and closed.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
In addition to rewards for moving at the right speed and in the right direction and penalties for things like wobbling or jerky movement, the team introduced a novel way to keep the hand in a crawling stance during the simulated training.

— Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of wobble

Verb

The round, initially expected to close by the end of August, has taken longer than planned as some prospective investors waver over the price, one of the people said, though talks are nearing the end.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
The second is a classic MAGA narrative gambit to convince wavering Trump voters, as well as high-profile Senate candidates who have begun to distance themselves from the war, that the United States is winning.

— David Faris, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of waver

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falsity

falter

faltered

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“Falter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falter. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of falter

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