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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Plus, in a 48-minute game, there will be plenty of time to stagger the two.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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Add additional rows of blocks, staggering them over the previous layer and using construction adhesive between rows.—
Daniel Modlin,
Architectural Digest,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere in town, the original creature, played by Christian Bale, has lurched here from Austria still on his lonely quest for companionship.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Then, just as abruptly, the plane lurched up, slamming everyone back to the ground.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The story weaves between 14th-century Italy and modern-day, exploring themes of love, divinity, and obsession.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 Mar. 2026
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We were passed by four out-of-control Harley bikers going 80-90 mph, weaving in and out of steadily moving traffic, while illegally passing cars on the right shoulder for miles.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Models are tottering on the cobblestoned Bond Street with their heels getting stuck in the rivets.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dodder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dodder. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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