1
as in to falter
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
he nervously teetered at the edge of the pool before finally diving in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side
the toddler teetered down the rink in her new ice skates
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
was teetering on the brink of making a decision about college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of teeter
As the years went on, his career teetered on the mainstream, opening for Nine Inch Nails on tour and collaborating with FKA Twigs and the Weeknd.
—
Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
The Hawks have injuries and key players missing, but this was teetering before Young got back into the mix, and Atlanta has a middling offense with a bad defense.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
That event led to a 22% decline in the population of Rice’s whales, a devastating impact on a species teetering on the edge of survival.
—Christian Wagley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
All of this is taking place as the box office is in a rut, cable is in free fall and the overall economy is teetering.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
The Hawks have injuries and key players missing, but this was teetering before Young got back into the mix, and Atlanta has a middling offense with a bad defense.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
That event led to a 22% decline in the population of Rice’s whales, a devastating impact on a species teetering on the edge of survival.
—Christian Wagley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
All of this is taking place as the box office is in a rut, cable is in free fall and the overall economy is teetering.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teeter
Verb
-
The film falters, however, once something resembling an actual plot kicks in.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
-
However, as the world reopened and gyms returned to normal operations, Peloton’s growth engines began to falter.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Layoffs will be staggered through the site’s closure on April 29.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
Don’t hesitate to approach the pens and ask questions.—
Sara Hansen,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
-
After 9/11, Denmark did not hesitate.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The dollar is already wobbling against other currencies and has fallen sharply vis-à-vis gold, which is the best barometer of monetary inflation.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Some of the Hoosiers hopped about their Hard Rock Stadium locker room late Monday night, clumps of them doing knee-wobbling dances amidst an air thick with cigar smoke, joy and relief.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
20 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
-
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
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While on the stand, Bianchi vacillated between different versions of his story and denied several elements of his original confession.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
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His role has vacillated from being a starter or an offensive catalyst off the bench, but his attitude never wavers.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The kind of person who trembles at watermarks is not the sort of person who dares to put marble in the dishwasher.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
16 Oct. 2025
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The Maine trembled and angled up, then listed to port, throwing him from his chair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Soon come the snorts, the heavy body of a second hog tottering heavily from the hut.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Teeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teeter. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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