falter
falter Lexical Profile
falter Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To lose strength, momentum, or determination and begin to fail or weaken.
"The company's growth began to falter during the second quarter due to rising supply costs."
To speak hesitantly or in a broken, unsteady voice.
"His voice began to falter as he recounted the emotional farewell at the train station."
To move unsteadily or with a stumbling step.
"Exhausted from the marathon, the runner started to falter just meters from the finish line."
• noun
An act of hesitating, stumbling, or losing steadiness in movement, speech, or resolve.
"She delivered the entire keynote address without a single falter in her voice."
• Rhymes for falter
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating back to the 14th century as Middle English 'faltren' (meaning to stagger or stammer), the word is likely of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse 'faltrask' (to be encumbered or hesitate) and built with the frequentative suffix '-er'.