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
Russia has also contended with shortages of munitions, despite warping its economy by putting it on a teetering war footing.
—
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The outcome capped an unusually tense weekend of work at the Capitol, the president’s signature legislative priority teetering on the edge of approval, or collapse.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
For me, creativity is all about taking risks, teetering on the edge of failure.
—Roy Trakin, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
As the second half got underway, the two teams exchanged near goals in the early minutes as the momentum of the match teetered on a knife’s edge.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The outcome capped an unusually tense weekend of work at the Capitol, the president’s signature legislative priority teetering on the edge of approval, or collapse.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
For me, creativity is all about taking risks, teetering on the edge of failure.
—Roy Trakin, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
As the second half got underway, the two teams exchanged near goals in the early minutes as the momentum of the match teetered on a knife’s edge.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teeter
Verb
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High-multiple growth stocks often falter during economic slowdowns, as lower earnings growth leads to sharp contractions in valuation multiples.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Trump has made ending the conflict a major priority of his administration, though negotiations have faltered.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But Cnet raises something else: in previous years, Apple has staggered the release dates of its products, even though the unveiling has happened on the same day.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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However, there are several small kitchen appliances that use a lot of power and their use should be staggered whenever possible.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Utilize available accessibility services and don't hesitate to request assistance when needed.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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This can have consequences: Children who hesitate to ask or answer questions risk becoming adults with the same habits.—
Shelbie Witte,
The Conversation,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Europe's defense stocks wobbled at the start of the week, as investors pored over the details — still lacking in some areas — of the framework trade agreement struck by the U.S. and European Union on Sunday.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
30 July 2025
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But near the end, the spin started to wobble President John F. Kennedy was always good at spinning a story.—
J. Randy Taraborrelli,
Air Mail,
19 July 2025
Verb
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Later in the drive, FSD lurched right – for no apparent reason – and tried to go down a steep driveway grade toward a locked gate.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
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From the outside, the company has appeared to be lurching from one crisis to the next.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Consumer worries Consumers are spending less as Trump's vacillating trade policy creates uncertainty, raising fears of a sharp economic downturn in the United States and beyond.—
Christoph Steitz,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Apr. 2025
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Over the next 15 minutes, the ship vacillated between stability and a list to port, with water accumulating on the port deck.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
24 July 2025
Verb
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In the elevator of the Associated Press Building at Rockefeller Plaza, Sunny’s brows trembled.—
Kiran Desai,
New Yorker,
3 Aug. 2025
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But then the cheers from his fans would begin, and Hogan would tremble with energy.—
John DeVore,
Rolling Stone,
26 July 2025
Verb
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As Joe Biden tottered and fell (literally as well as metaphorically), more than a few pundits compared him to Lear, a man who was ruined by age, pride, and the flattery of sycophants.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
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Dina Tomczak, the school’s athletic director, tottered into her office having barely slept.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Teeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teeter. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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