1
as in staggered
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 faltered
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 tottered
On the floor, waist-high piles of books tottered like miniature leaning towers of Pisa.
—
The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tottered
Verb
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Employers are encouraged to support remote work, staggered shifts, and flexible hours.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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The lone survivor of the half-hour killing spree, critically injured 49-year-old David Hernandez, staggered to a nearby street where police officers were trying to revive another Santos victim.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The Broncos faltered in the snow, the Nuggets floundered on the hardwood, and now the Avalanche fail on ice.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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That faith in his ability and focus had faltered at times over the course of this tempestuous and trying campaign, but it has been restored at the last.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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As Aden Kassaye and her mother got out to inspect the damage, Beas Solorio reportedly lurched the BMW forward, making contact with Ayalew’s torso, prompting Ayalew to slam her hands on the BMW’s hood to brace herself and yell at the driver.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
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So between those two things, the balance of gerrymanders has lurched pretty abruptly toward the right.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Minnesota found its groove in the fourth quarter, while San Antonio’s legs wobbled.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
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If everyone succeeded, the box got shorter for the next round, while the other participants hovered nearby to catch anyone who wobbled.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Verb
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In the corner of the room, Kyle Schwarber shook his head.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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The Highlanders will have one less coach than usual for the CIF LA City Section Open Division championship in South Gate on Saturday after an accident shook the Highlanders to their core Monday.—
Ethan Hanson,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Blue Origin officials have been able to get a closer look in recent days at the site where the company's towering New Glenn rocket exploded in a dramatic fireball that rocked Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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The collapse of Swalwell’s campaign rocked the crowded race, and left room for other candidates to surge in the polls.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The way the stadium shuddered with noise.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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At least the elevator still creaked and shuddered, as in the old days, finally trembling open on the eighth floor.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tottered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tottered. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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