as in lurching
to move forward while swaying from side to side
was doddering down the walk outside the nursing home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in senile
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doddering
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 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
All this time, a smiling, doddering old man in a tuxedo had been ambling about, tending to guests and waiting on tables.
—Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Their journey of friendship and rivalry is the emotional core of a story that is startlingly political, a leap made effectively by Jeff Goldblum’s dodgy, smarmy and doddering Wizard, who’s ably assisted by the darkly dangerous aide de camp Michelle Yeoh.
—Steven Gaydos, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for doddering
Verb
Even that sounds dismissive like Flynn is some doddering old man.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 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
All this time, a smiling, doddering old man in a tuxedo had been ambling about, tending to guests and waiting on tables.
—Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Their journey of friendship and rivalry is the emotional core of a story that is startlingly political, a leap made effectively by Jeff Goldblum’s dodgy, smarmy and doddering Wizard, who’s ably assisted by the darkly dangerous aide de camp Michelle Yeoh.
—Steven Gaydos, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for doddering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doddering
Verb
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But while the new movie dawdles on its way to Toxie’s origins, then rushes toward a finale with a lurching rhythm that verges on calculated ineptitude, its spirit never feels inauthentic.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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The result, nearly eight months into his second term, is an economy that appears to be lurching into a new era of state control.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Back on the domestic front, Jeanine has reason to believe that her husband, Paul (Mark O’Brien), is having an affair with her senile mother’s caregiver.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Sep. 2023
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Don Quixote himself is too often a senile dodderer; Daniel Rubin was creaky in body but youthfully quixotic in spirit.—
Jeffrey Gantz,
BostonGlobe.com,
17 Mar. 2023
Verb
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The young men in Bruins blue and gold staggering off the field afterwards dazed, confused.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Roughly two-thirds of the state’s billionaires made their fortunes in finance and investments, including richest resident (former NYC mayor) Michael Bloomberg, who’s worth staggering $109 billion.—
Ella Malmgren,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gunmen with the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, who have been fighting for control of Arcahaïe, reportedly stormed the village and opened fire on the population, killing women, children and elderly.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Authorities later confirmed that Zinn was an elderly local political agitator, not the suspect, according to the New York Post.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Inside, the place is as decrepit as Julian, every corner cluttered with canvases, papers and enough dusty ephemera to warm the heart of any hoarder.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
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As is the case across the West, many Britons are increasingly concerned and angry about rising prices, decrepit public services, a lack of housing — and the perception that immigration has been mismanaged.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In it, a monster with bolts in his head and a shuffling gate was created by a man.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
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The closures have resulted in staff shuffling throughout the library system and rescheduled activities such as author talks and photography exhibits.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Third, the letter writer and her family might want to consider engaging a geriatric care manager who could help them to identify supplementary services and connections in the local community that could go at least some way to alleviating her isolation.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
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Third, something the letter writer and her family might want to consider engaging a geriatric care manager who could help them to identify supplementary services and connections in the local community that could go at least some way to alleviating her isolation.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here, Eady speaks with Deadline about the fun of weaving a fantastical and spiritual tale about the real threats of land loss and economic hardships in the Black community.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Guzman fell in love with the way Williams captures the beauty of everyday life, weaving humor, heartache and joy into a story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doddering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doddering. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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