tottering

1 of 2

adjective

tot·​ter·​ing ˈtä-tə-riŋ 

1

a

: being in an unstable condition

a tottering building

b

: walking unsteadily

2

: lacking firmness or stability : insecure

a tottering regime

totteringly adverb

tottering

2 of 2

present participle of totter entry 1

Synonyms of tottering

Adjective

• shaking
• trembling
• trembly
• quivering
• shuddering
• shaky

Examples of tottering in a Sentence

Adjective

after the accident, she was only able to take a few tottering steps at a time

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Neither of them understands the other’s dynamic with Daniel, and the split-episode format keeps our sympathies teeter-tottering between each woman. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tottering

• slaughtering
• watering
• dewatering