teeter

1 of 2

verb

tee·​ter ˈtē-tər 

teetered; teetering; teeters

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move unsteadily : wobble

b

: waver, vacillate

teetered on the brink of bankruptcy

2

: seesaw

teeter

2 of 2

noun

: seesaw sense 2b

Synonyms of teeter

Verb

• falter
• wobble
• tremble
• totter
• shake
• rock

Examples of teeter in a Sentence

Verb

The pile of books teetered and fell to the floor.

She teetered down the street in her high heels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Its path to passage has teetered all week in a familiar fight, as lawmakers weigh civil liberties concerns against intelligence officials' warnings about national security risks. —CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

Its path to passage has teetered all week in a familiar fight, as lawmakers weigh civil liberties concerns against intelligence officials’ warnings about national security risks. —ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Noun

This pedestal dining table works for someone whose tastes teeter between minimalist and midcentury modern. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026

Gas prices at the pump teeter in the $4 range. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English titeren to totter, reel; akin to Old High German zittarōn to shiver

First Known Use

Verb

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing teeter

• teeter-totter

Rhymes for teeter

• beater
• cheater
• dieter
• eater
• heater
• liter
• litre
• meter
• metre
• neater
• praetor
• seater

Kids Definition

teeter

verb

tee·​ter

ˈtēt-ər

1

a

: to move unsteadily

teetered on the edge and fell over the side

b

: waver sense 1

2

: seesaw entry 2 sense 2

teeter noun