Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
falter

fal·ter

falter

 
 
pronunciation:
fawl tr
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: falters, faltering, faltered
definition 1: to move, speak, or function hesitatingly or unsteadily; stumble.
He seemed to be winning the race, but the horse faltered in the final stretch.The soloist prayed that she would not falter during that evening's performance.His voice faltered as he was suddenly overcome with emotion.The negotiations had been going well, but then they faltered over the issue of paid vacations.
synonyms:
stumble
similar words:
dodder, halt, hem and haw, hesitate, quiver, stagger, stammer, stutter, teeter, totter, trip, waver
definition 2: to waver in confidence or purpose.
We will not falter in our fight for what is right.
synonyms:
waver
antonyms:
steady
similar words:
hesitate, stagger, vacillate
definition 3: to function unsteadily, intermittently, or with diminished power, as a mechanical or electrical device.
It's unclear why the airplane's engine faltered during the flight.
antonyms:
steady
similar words:
break down, fail, limp, stutter
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition: hesitation or unsteadiness of action or speech.
He'd been nervous, but he made it through his speech without a falter.
synonyms:
hesitation, unsteadiness
similar words:
quiver, stammer, stumble, stutter, teeter, totter, waver, wobble
derivations: falteringly (adv.), falterer (n.)