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
Relevance
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
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 totter
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
The suspect, age 34, tottered out from a rear holding area in an orange DOC jumpsuit that was a size or two too large for his reed-thin frame.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The suspect, age 34, tottered out from a rear holding area in an orange DOC jumpsuit that was a size or two too large for his reed-thin frame.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
-
Even then, this was staggered, with First Division clubs subject to the Green Guide from 1976 onwards and the rest three years later.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
-
That’s because there are actually 15 different broods at large, 12 of them observing a 17-year schedule and three making their appearance every 13 years—and the broods’ emergences are staggered.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
With federal support faltering, your role has never been more critical.—
Randy Colman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2025
-
The effort comes as progress on crypto legislation has faltered.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
And now that governments in many rich countries have sharply lurched to the right and taken more skeptical stances on aid, this industry is collapsing.—
Zainab Usman,
Foreign Affairs,
5 May 2025
-
German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was one of the first European leaders to grasp the long-term implications of the American lurch toward authoritarianism.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Many episodes later, as Dedra suffers a crushing setback, Gough performs her attempts to choke back tears and still her trembling hands with an almost violent desperation.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Lydia, who – based on her trembling lips – seems to be in poor health, continues to plead with Lawrence.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The omission came as Republican support for Martin appeared to wobble.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
-
After a brisk start to the year, growth is wobbling as businesses and investors hold their breath over President Trump's new tariff salvos and the uncertain tax landscape.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Verb
-
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 contestant Phoenix's drama with Ice Spice must've stirred too much after the season 3 queen clapped back against the guest judge's Main Stage critiques about her icon status, but the Drag Race OG hopes the rapper isn't too shaken in the aftermath.—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
17 May 2025
-
Clips of the pair shaking hands alongside the disco beat are making the rounds on social media.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
Longoria rocked a red maxi dress, while Bastón wore a black top and black cropped pants.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
13 May 2025
-
The new parents tried everything—rocking, feeding, lullabies—but nothing was working.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share