1
as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side
tottered around the house as she practiced walking in high heels
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to falter
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
the figurine tottered precariously for a moment before falling off the shelf
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of totter
The nation is tottering on the edge of dictatorship.
—
Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
Through a popular uprising and a long and hideous civil war, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime tottered at times, but held on, propped up by allies Russia and Iran.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s economy is tottering and reliant on IMF bailouts, while the powerful military is entrenched in every aspect of life, according to its critics.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Buruma has much to say about the shifting sands of loyalties as the Nazi and Japanese empires collapsed and the dominions of the old European imperialist powers tottered.
—Max Hastings, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
See All Example Sentences for totter
Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
Through a popular uprising and a long and hideous civil war, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime tottered at times, but held on, propped up by allies Russia and Iran.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s economy is tottering and reliant on IMF bailouts, while the powerful military is entrenched in every aspect of life, according to its critics.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Buruma has much to say about the shifting sands of loyalties as the Nazi and Japanese empires collapsed and the dominions of the old European imperialist powers tottered.
—Max Hastings, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
See All Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
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To get by offensively, Rajaković is going to have to stagger his prolific scorers pretty strongly.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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To avoid the logistical logjams that had been predicted, the rollout is being staggered.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The industry also plans to mix hydrogen into its existing gas utility pipeline network, but those efforts have faltered amid local opposition.—
NPR,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
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There has been optimism at times with this Cowboys team powered by the top offense in the NFL, but the defense continues to falter at the worst moments at crucial points in close games.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The mood is lurching between calm and doom-mongering chaos.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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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
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Westerners call them quakers, for the way the leaves tremble in the wind, but these had no leaves on them now.—
Robert Merchant,
Outdoor Life,
1 Oct. 2025
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The lesson isn’t that investors tremble when Fed chairs talk about stocks.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the opener of this series, Miller wobbled at first, then unplugged the raucous Rogers Centre on his way to a 3-1 victory.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Many Black mothers are primary breadwinners; when their income disappears, households wobble.—
Essence,
Essence,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Whether the Canes can get to 10-2 will likely depend on if Beck can shake off his four-interception nightmare.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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The new coach shook hands, smiled for cell phone pictures and signed posters for wave after wave of kids.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mass protests in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines in recent years have also rocked South and Southeast Asia as young people fight against poverty and corruption.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
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Also at the game was Travis Kelce's fiancée, Taylor Swift, who rocked an outfit that screamed Chiefs pride.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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