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.
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Recent Examples of teetered
Since then, employment has teetered down in some months and up in others.
—
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Feb. 2026
Turkey’s inflation soared past 80%, the lira collapsed against the dollar and the economy teetered on the edge of catastrophe.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Feb. 2026
Turkey’s inflation soared past 80%, the lira collapsed against the dollar and the economy teetered on the edge of catastrophe.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teetered
Verb
-
Tennessee faltered again right before half, missing six of its final seven shots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Lock went 4-1 as a starter in 2019 after taking over from veteran Joe Flacco, but faltered in a rocky 2020, with a league-leading 13 interceptions in just 13 games.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even then, his father, Chris Oettinger, hesitated to believe his Olympic dreams would become a reality — until the roster was announced last month.—
Lia Assimakopoulos
Dallas Stars,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Asked if this was a statement game, Dahlin hesitated.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That border too wobbled well into the 1930s which ultimately left Mount Ararat inside Turkey.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
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
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
-
Tomlyn asked, to which Chloe shook her head no.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
-
And after Britain scored four stones to take the score to 10-5 in end seven, Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee and Lill Harri also called an end to their match and shook hands.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Getting rocked to sleep in a comfortable bed while gazing out the window is not to be missed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Chappell Roan, who was crowned the best new artist at the 2025 Grammys, rocked a sheer, deep burgundy gown with a dramatically plunging neckline, layered with a flowing chiffon cape and trailing train.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No one spoke until Chuky shuddered his head and this time without laughing said, Shit, that’s crazy.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Teetered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teetered. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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