falteringly
/ˈfɒl.tər.ɪŋ.li/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɑːl.tɚ.ɪŋ.li/ (ame, ipa)
falteringly — adverb
1. in a shaky, hesitant way that shows a loss of confidence, strength, or purpose —
in a shaky, hesitant way that shows a loss of confidence, strength, or purpose — for example, speaking falteringly during a difficult apology, or moving falteringly when exhausted or injured.
'I… I don't know what happened,' said Clara falteringly, her voice barely above a whisper.
falteringly modifying 'said (speaking verb)'
The old car moved falteringly up the hill, its engine coughing and sputtering.
Mr. Okonkwo walked falteringly across the stage, pausing every few steps to catch his breath.
Zara's hand rose falteringly toward the door handle, then dropped back to her side.
Dr. Chen's project to bring running water to the village proceeded falteringly, slowed by broken pipes and monsoon floods.
- hesitantly
more about indecision or delay; less about loss of strength
- uncertainly
broader, covers any lack of certainty, not necessarily physical or emotional weakness
- unsteadily
primarily physical instability; lacks the emotional dimension of 'falteringly'
- waveringly
more literary, suggesting back-and-forth fluctuation rather than a gradual decline
- confidently
with firm belief and assurance
- steadily
in a controlled, unchanging manner
文法句型
[verb] falteringly
用法筆記
Stronger than 'hesitantly' — it implies a visible or audible loss of power or confidence, not just a delay in deciding. Commonly pairs with verbs of speaking (say, speak, continue) and movement (walk, move, rise, climb). Also used figuratively for processes or projects that lose momentum.