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
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
The result would be that incumbents would lag, populists would surge, and democratic institutions would totter.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 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
If the bottom falls out of, say, the Chinese real-estate market—among the largest asset classes in the world—the entire global economy could totter.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totter
Max Hastings, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
The result would be that incumbents would lag, populists would surge, and democratic institutions would totter.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 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
If the bottom falls out of, say, the Chinese real-estate market—among the largest asset classes in the world—the entire global economy could totter.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
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Elena Guseva’s soprano staggers in its power and control, retaining its hue even at lofty peaks.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
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Mayors are elected by council members who have staggered four-year terms and are elected by citizens.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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And then, if the team falters, dumping before the Aug. 31 deadline for players to be eligible for postseason rosters?—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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In later grades, when there are no pictures or too many unfamiliar words to memorize, these readers would falter, and their reading troubles would hinder learning in other academic subjects.—
Denise Amos,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
Verb
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The world is lurching toward autocracy, with alarming speed.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
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In the final moments, Molly lurches forward into this brave new world, with nothing but the overalls on her back and her best friend who can barely start her car.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
Verb
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As Sofia unfolded the pages during her graduation celebration, her voice trembled.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
18 June 2025
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Already nervous and trembling, Wood captures the terror and claustrophobia of having your head clamped in place and one eye pried open with a speculum.—
Gayle Sequeira,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Then the steering wheel wobbled momentarily, and instead of turning it proceeded straight into the lane meant for oncoming traffic, prompting a honk from a car behind it.—
Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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Since there are only two points of contact with the ground, the statues eventually begin to wobble.—
Paul Nicolaus,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The tragedy shook the small Ohio town — and stunned viewers who remembered the Stockdale family's 2008 appearance on ABC's Wife Swap.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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And beside them, Milford, Weymouth and St. John’s of Shrewsbury also shook off their sub-20 seeding to advance at least once in an all-time showing of parity.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
Verb
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An explosion rocked the Iranian news station where popular news anchor Sahar Emami was broadcasting live during Israel’s ongoing fighting with Iran on Monday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2025
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Paycom Center was rocking during the player introductions and the raucous frenzy continued after tip-off as the Thunder got off to a hot start from the outset.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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