as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side
was doddering down the walk outside the nursing home
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Recent Examples of dodder
And, earlier today, at 7:23 am, one of our older Brothers, while doddering across the Reforma Promenade, was struck down and killed by a speeding motor scooter.
—
Charles Portis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Probably quite poorly, conjuring images of Trump doddering around on a golf course.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 21 July 2024
Tel Aviv University biologist Daniel Chamovitz discusses dodder and many other fascinating plants in his upcoming book, What A Plant Knows, an excerpt from which appears in the May issue of Scientific American.
—Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2021
The Dodgers appeared to dodder in the first two games, running up huge pitch counts against Atlanta starters Max Fried and Ian Anderson, but failing to score a run in 14 of the first 15 innings.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2020
Last, the researchers created a green fluorescent version of the flowering signal chemical, which provided visual evidence that dodder plant tissues can absorb the chemical and direct it to their flowering mechanisms.
—Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Sep. 2020
As for pests, experts have identified a tiny wasp, two noxious weeds (water spinach and dodder) and a larval seed beetle.
—Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2020
Cassidy took control when the Bruins were doddering along at 26-23-6, both feet firmly planted on a path to a third consecutive DNQ.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Nov. 2019
Charles Portis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Probably quite poorly, conjuring images of Trump doddering around on a golf course.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 21 July 2024
Tel Aviv University biologist Daniel Chamovitz discusses dodder and many other fascinating plants in his upcoming book, What A Plant Knows, an excerpt from which appears in the May issue of Scientific American.
—Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2021
The Dodgers appeared to dodder in the first two games, running up huge pitch counts against Atlanta starters Max Fried and Ian Anderson, but failing to score a run in 14 of the first 15 innings.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2020
Last, the researchers created a green fluorescent version of the flowering signal chemical, which provided visual evidence that dodder plant tissues can absorb the chemical and direct it to their flowering mechanisms.
—Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Sep. 2020
As for pests, experts have identified a tiny wasp, two noxious weeds (water spinach and dodder) and a larval seed beetle.
—Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2020
Cassidy took control when the Bruins were doddering along at 26-23-6, both feet firmly planted on a path to a third consecutive DNQ.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dodder
Verb
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Layoffs will be staggered through the site’s closure on April 29.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
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The pools are staggered across levels (some adults-only), and there are connecting rooms and kid-friendly food.—
Jonnie Bayfield,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When her car began to lurch forward, an agent near the front left-side of the SUV drew his gun and shot her at close range.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
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Natanya complicates her old-school character sketch with cerebral shifts in perspective, affecting each of the voices that accompany a young woman’s drive for success and independence (demanding friends and parents, sexist expectations, her own willpower) in a lurching cascade of melodies.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The art of being human includes admitting mistakes, a feature developers are increasingly weaving into AI systems.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
For the first time, Colombian singer-songwriter Gusi and Guatemalan singer-songwriter Zelaya unite their talents, weaving together the vibrant spirit of their homelands in a song that celebrates love and the richness of life.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dodder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dodder. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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