doddering

adjective

dod·​der·​ing ˈdä-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce doddering (audio)
: showing or involving a loss of physical or cognitive abilities in old age
her doddering uncle
as we approach our doddering years
often used disparagingly in phrases like a doddering old fool

Examples of doddering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The secondary villain is a doddering, power-hungry elderly man with an unruly mop of hair and a flock of advisors who constantly shower him with unearned praise. Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025 Does the diagnosis explain Biden’s occasionally doddering affect? Adam B. Kushner, New York Times, 21 May 2025 As many Democrats in Congress have struggled to respond to the fire hose of disruption—at times seeming downright doddering in response to the White House’s potential upending of the constitutional order—the 53-year-old Schatz has helped his party find their footing. Philip Elliott, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025 A week before the debate, NBC News fretted about whether the fact-checkers would be able to stay on top of all the viral videos purporting to show a doddering Biden. W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for doddering

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doddering was in 1871

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Cite this Entry

“Doddering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doddering. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

doddering

adjective
: showing signs of old age

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