falter
[verb]
Synonyms: hesitate, stammer, stumble, stutter, totter, vacillate, waver

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Contrasted words: persevere, persist, decide, determine, resolve
Related Words: blench, flinch, quail, recoil, shrink, quake, quaver, shake, shudder, tremble, tick over

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

fal‧ter /ˈfɔːltə $ ˈfɒːltər/ verb
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Perhaps from a Scandinavian language]

1. [intransitive] to become weaker and unable to continue in an effective way:
The economy is showing signs of faltering.
My mother’s grip upon the household never faltered.

2. [intransitive and transitive] to speak in a voice that sounds weak and uncertain, and keeps stopping:
Laurie’s voice faltered as she tried to thank him.
‘I can’t,’ she faltered.

3. [intransitive] to become less certain and determined that you want to do something:
We must not falter in our resolve.

4. [intransitive] to stop walking or to walk in an unsteady way because you suddenly feel weak or afraid:
She faltered for a moment.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

falter
verb
ADV. slightly | never His courage never faltered.
VERB + FALTER begin to The economy is beginning to falter.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲