falter

American  

[fawl-ter] / ˈfɔl tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way.

   Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.

2. to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.

3. to move unsteadily; stumble.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter hesitatingly or brokenly.

   to falter an apology.

noun

1. the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.

2. a faltering sound.

falter British  

/ ˈfɔːltə /

verb

1. (intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver

2. (intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble

3. to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer

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noun

1. uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action

2. a quavering or irregular sound

Other Word Forms

• falterer noun
• falteringly adverb
• nonfaltering adjective
• nonfalteringly adverb
• unfaltering adjective
• unfalteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of falter

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

Example Sentences

“But if the conflict drags on, gasoline prices move even higher in the summer driving season, and stocks continue to falter, consumers could throw in the towel and start to pull back on their spending.”

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Still, the economy can only sustain so many blows before it begins to falter.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

In January, the Fund raised its growth forecast for the global economy this year, but warned activity could falter if trade barriers rise again and geopolitical conflicts intensify.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

The home support will be expecting three points - but if Forest falter the pressure on Dyche will intensify.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Max had never heard his father falter so badly.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• flounder
• hesitate
• reel
• waver
• wobble