1
as in faltered
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 lurched
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 hesitated
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
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Recent Examples of teetered
The owner of a San Jose apartment complex that has teetered on the brink of foreclosure has filed for bankruptcy in a move that is poised to delay an auction of the property.
—
George Avalos, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
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
In the last gallery, a magnificent black spider teetered on steel talons.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The show teetered between artists — Brandy with three songs here, Monica with two there — making for a ceaseless conveyor belt of hits and many, many costume changes.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
During the financial crisis in 2009, Detroit’s unemployment rate skyrocketed to 29% as the auto industry teetered on the brink of collapse.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
New York teetered on the edge of bankruptcy - the city shuttered more than a dozen firehouses, teachers went on strike and garbage piled up in the streets.
—NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
The two boxers teetered against each other, exhausted, until Padilla stepped in again, pulling Ali’s gloves off the back of Frazier’s neck.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The original Sex and the City boasted one of the best foursomes in TV history, with Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha’s wildly different personalities perfectly balancing each other out — and once Samantha was removed, the whole show teetered unsteadily like a table missing a leg.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 14 Aug. 2025
George Avalos, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
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
In the last gallery, a magnificent black spider teetered on steel talons.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The show teetered between artists — Brandy with three songs here, Monica with two there — making for a ceaseless conveyor belt of hits and many, many costume changes.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
During the financial crisis in 2009, Detroit’s unemployment rate skyrocketed to 29% as the auto industry teetered on the brink of collapse.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
New York teetered on the edge of bankruptcy - the city shuttered more than a dozen firehouses, teachers went on strike and garbage piled up in the streets.
—NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
The two boxers teetered against each other, exhausted, until Padilla stepped in again, pulling Ali’s gloves off the back of Frazier’s neck.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The original Sex and the City boasted one of the best foursomes in TV history, with Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha’s wildly different personalities perfectly balancing each other out — and once Samantha was removed, the whole show teetered unsteadily like a table missing a leg.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teetered
Verb
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Pass protection faltered, the run game stalled and Love couldn’t find a rhythm through the air as Green Bay welcomed Chicago back into the game and the Bears once again took advantage to end their archrival’s season in stunning fashion.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Traffic in restaurants faltered, as budget-conscious customers ate out less often and spent less.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The relentless Chacon lurched outside after her just as his car door opened and out popped their 6-year-old son, begging his dad to stop.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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New year optimism was certainly in short supply inside Anfield as the mood lurched from restlessness to exasperation and then anger.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As investors watched closely, even Republicans who hesitated to condemn the probe were careful to extol the virtues of an independent central bank.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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The insider says Richie never hesitated to leave his residences in California or Hawaii at a moment’s notice to return to New Jersey.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gauthier entered Monday with a team-high 19 goals for an Anaheim squad that started strong but has wobbled in recent weeks.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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Westview’s 6-foot-1 Mia Jacobson wobbled off the court in the first period with her bell ringing and nose leaking blood after colliding with the Dons’ 6-2 Bianca Slone.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Whether opting for the Chef’s tasting menu or à la carte, every plate feels like a little artwork—from the olive, anise, and fennel bread staggered on podiums to the sweet finale (expect imaginative combinations such as a honey milk and hay pudding).—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
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The Bills had a pretty cushy road schedule this year, playing once outside the Eastern time zone, yet staggered around early.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The probes don’t signal a return to the era of tech crackdowns that shook investor confidence five years ago, a Reuters columnist noted, partly because they’re not driven by founders falling out of grace with Beijing.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
15 Jan. 2026
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He was fired in December 2010 from his role leading the political efforts of Equality Illinois, a move that shook Chicago’s gay community.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pamela Anderson has rocked a bob for some time now, but her latest 'do includes pops of pastel pink.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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That’s a huge decline from the 125 homicides that rocked the city in 2023.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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East Denver sushi fans shuddered in late December when Okinawa Japanese Cuisine, a mainstay on Colfax Avenue since 2010, closed and boarded up its doors with brown paper.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Greek writer Kay Cicellis, who died in 2001, might have shuddered at such a sunny view of fate.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Teetered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teetered. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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