falter — to 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.

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.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
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
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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.”
“The company's growth began to falter due to increased competition.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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