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
Relevance
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
Tariffs are the cherry on top of the teetering sundae.
—
Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 16 Apr. 2025
His draft fate teetered somewhere in the middle rounds, and Helm was crushed.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
Not once last season, as the Padres teetered around .500 through the All-Star break, did Shildt mention the need to win to his team.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
The Magic aren’t just tough and physical, but downright hostile without teetering over the edge.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 16 Apr. 2025
His draft fate teetered somewhere in the middle rounds, and Helm was crushed.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
Not once last season, as the Padres teetered around .500 through the All-Star break, did Shildt mention the need to win to his team.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
The Magic aren’t just tough and physical, but downright hostile without teetering over the edge.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teeter
Verb
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With federal support faltering, your role has never been more critical.—
Randy Colman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2025
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The effort comes as progress on crypto legislation has faltered.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Even then, this was staggered, with First Division clubs subject to the Green Guide from 1976 onwards and the rest three years later.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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That’s because there are actually 15 different broods at large, 12 of them observing a 17-year schedule and three making their appearance every 13 years—and the broods’ emergences are staggered.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
8 May 2025
Verb
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And Brinkley didn’t hesitate to share her diet regimen.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
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Ask Questions And Remain Curious For early-career entrants, the entire process is new, including securing an internship, so don't hesitate to ask questions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
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The omission came as Republican support for Martin appeared to wobble.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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After a brisk start to the year, growth is wobbling as businesses and investors hold their breath over President Trump's new tariff salvos and the uncertain tax landscape.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Verb
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And now that governments in many rich countries have sharply lurched to the right and taken more skeptical stances on aid, this industry is collapsing.—
Zainab Usman,
Foreign Affairs,
5 May 2025
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German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was one of the first European leaders to grasp the long-term implications of the American lurch toward authoritarianism.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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During a turbulent Game 6 closeout of the Pistons, one in which the Knicks vacillated between superiority and forgetting how to play the sport, Bridges’ physicality was a constant.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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His vacillating trade policy has undermined consumer and business confidence, and caused economists to raise their forecasts for a U.S. recession.—
Chris Prentice,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Many episodes later, as Dedra suffers a crushing setback, Gough performs her attempts to choke back tears and still her trembling hands with an almost violent desperation.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2025
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Lydia, who – based on her trembling lips – seems to be in poor health, continues to plead with Lawrence.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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The nation is tottering on the edge of dictatorship.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Teeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teeter. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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