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falterto become weaker or less effective; to hesitate or waver

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to become weaker or less effective; to hesitate or waver

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfɔːltər/

Example Sentences

  • The student's presentation began to falter when he forgot his notes at home.
  • Even the strongest athletes can falter under extreme pressure.
  • Her diet plan started to falter when she discovered the office vending machine.

falter

VERB

[/ˈfɔːltər/]

to become weaker or less effective; to hesitate or waver

Steps away from the finish line, the exhausted runner lost his balance and began to falter.
💡 Concept

Steps away from the finish line, the exhausted runner lost his balance and began to falter.

FAL(fall) + TER(terror) — facing the TERror of a steep FALl, his legs began to falter.
🧠 Mnemonic

FAL(fall) + TER(terror) — facing the TERror of a steep FALl, his legs began to falter.

When the rider violently pulled the leather halter, the galloping horse began to falter.
🎵 Rhyme

When the rider violently pulled the leather halter, the galloping horse began to falter.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈfɔːltər/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈfɔːltə(r)/

🌳Etymology

Rootfalter

Origin

From Middle English 'falteren', possibly influenced by Old Norse 'faltr' (weak, defective) or related to the verb 'fall'. The exact origin is uncertain but likely has Scandinavian roots.

Breakdown

The root 'falt-' (to fail or stumble) + '-er' (verb suffix) = falter (to stumble or become weak)

🎵Rhyme

altarhalterwalter
altar
halter
walter

🔗Collocations

falter in confidence
voice falters
economy falters
never falter
falter under pressure
steps falter

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The student's presentation began to falter when he forgot his notes at home.

Even the strongest athletes can falter under extreme pressure.

😄 Fun example

Her diet plan started to falter when she discovered the office vending machine.

The company's growth began to falter due to increased competition.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

waverhesitatestumbleweakenwobble

Antonyms

strengthenpersistcontinue

Related

staggertrembleshakedoubtuncertainty

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