TEETERS Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

teeters

verb

present tense third-person singular of teeter

as in falters

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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as in staggers

to move forward while swaying from side to side the toddler teetered down the rink in her new ice skates

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in hesitates

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 teeters Scott’s face, in this shot, is a whole novel, disintegrating into tears before being shored up again, eventually rearranged into something resembling a welcoming smile that teeters on the edge of collapse. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026 This is the man who wants to ensure the survival of human civilization while our own planet teeters toward the abyss? — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 And the Peaches and Pea, a drink that teeters on the edge of cloying, heavy-handed with peach oleo-saccharum. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Congressional intervention teeters on the coordination of Big Ten and SEC presidents with lawmakers in Washington. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 This metallic copper polish teeters the line between summer and fall perfectly, giving nails a warm glow. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 The new series teeters on a bipartisan ledge, carefully including conversations with political figures like former vice presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Republican Senator Ted Cruz. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 June 2026 The story teeters on implausibility in turn after turn. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 June 2026 There's an undeniable allure to the pale yellow shade, a saccharine hue that teeters the line on both mellow and bright. — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 28 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for teeters

Verb

But Friedlich falters at making those exchanges spark with a sense of the real.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
The third such report from the powerful Board of Supervisors last week is very similar to language in a Paramount statement of September 8 detailing harsh consequences if the merger falters.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of falters

Verb

Steely and deliberate songwriting that casually staggers down the line between rhythm and melody, laced with loose yet conscious jams.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026
Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.

— Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

Definition of staggers

Verb

If an employee hesitates or overcommits, avoid making assumptions or asking defensive questions.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Your vehicle hesitates when shifting gears A short pause or delay between pressing the gas and your car responding is an early sign of transmission trouble.

— Michael Kurko, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitates

Verb

If the fan wobbles noticeably at the ceiling or the mounting assembly moves, turn it off and have an electrician or qualified ceiling fan technician inspect it.

— Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
Those impacts could also extend as far south as the New Jersey coast if the storm wobbles farther west.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of wobbles

Verb

The alternative is a region that lurches from crisis to crisis, and from one extreme to another.

— DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
With a cigarette dangling from her lips, ashes and curse words ever ready to fall, Angela lurches around the house critical of everything and everyone.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of lurches

Verb

Our political system vacillates between absurdism and horror.

— Chloe Benjamain, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Then there are the fragmented attention spans birthed by our dearly beloved screens, which cultivate a kind of cognitive whiplash that vacillates between amnesia and yearning for more.

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of vacillates

Verb

Linkin Park’s new documentary Unshatter, which rocks into theaters today, was originally set to be a traditional concert film.

— Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2026
Amanda Seyfried rocks this soft yet vibrant blend of pink and orange tones, creating a warm, sunlit effect.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of rocks

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teetering

teeters

teeth

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“Teeters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teeters. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of teeters

verb

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