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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of teetered
Siwa has teetered between niche fame and lucrative stardom for more than half her young life.
—
Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Since 2009, Cupertino’s homelessness count has teetered back and forth, reaching a high of 159 in 2019.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 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
Shares of both stocks teetered on Tuesday before closing slightly higher.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2025
Violeta was on her mobility scooter, and Julia teetered on Jay’s arm.
—Bridget Read, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
Gabby Barrett also teetered on the line, with plans to double down even further.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Since 2009, Cupertino’s homelessness count has teetered back and forth, reaching a high of 159 in 2019.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 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
Shares of both stocks teetered on Tuesday before closing slightly higher.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2025
Violeta was on her mobility scooter, and Julia teetered on Jay’s arm.
—Bridget Read, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
Gabby Barrett also teetered on the line, with plans to double down even further.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teetered
Verb
-
More than 70% of the investment committed in 2023 came from international public finance; however, progress in programs such as the World Bank’s landmark Mission300, established that year, has faltered.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
When her movie career as an adult faltered, Lockhart shifted to television, appearing in live drama from New York and game and talk shows.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.—
Lyle Goldstein,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Wasefi hesitated, then started to play.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
-
People hesitated, unsure of how to play with something new without looking foolish.—
Cas Holman,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many have been subject to rising costs as supply chains have wobbled during the Russian war in the Ukraine.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The peso had wobbled in recent days after a regional election spurred fears Milei would underperform in the midterm vote, prompting a $20 billion bailout promise from the US, which sees him as an ally.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Seats are elected from each of the city’s wards and serve staggered, four-year terms.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The 49ers, under Kyle Shanahan’s watch since 2017, traditionally have staggered through Oktoberfest, posting a 16-22 record and losing at least two October games every season except during the 2019 team’s 8-0 start.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The earthquake shook at a depth of just 3 miles, with its epicenter roughly 4 miles northwest of Pinnacles.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The Breakers shook off early losses to Mater Dei and San Clemente to set the school record for most wins in a regular season.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Introduced by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, Smith rocked the Love Is Blind stage with his stomp-clap anthem alongside a full live band while the season 9 contestants made their way inside the venue listening to the catchy tune.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
-
For the event, Eilish rocked a private school chic-look with a navy blazer and skirt, grey sweater and brown Oxford shoes with tall grey socks.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Earth shuddered with yet another wave of extinctions in this initial chill.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
For much of last season, Atletico appeared set to seriously compete on all fronts, but their season shuddered to a stop in March with a series of disappointing defeats by Barcelona and Madrid across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Teetered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teetered. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share