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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tottered
Verb
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The next cuts will be staggered — 10 more workers will be laid off later this month, followed by 30 in December, and 10 in late January.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Oct. 2025 -
They are elected to four-year terms, with elections staggered every two years.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
16 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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In a topsy-turvy season where AFC faves Kansas City and Baltimore have faltered, and Jacksonville and Indianapolis have been major surprises, people still want to discount Tomlin and the Black and Gold.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The escalator lurched to a halt just after the pair got on.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Vesia still wobbled from there, giving up a single to pinch hitter Harrison Bader and getting a groundout before Roberts emerged again to get Roki Sasaki in for the final outs.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The rotating fan clicked, wobbled, and turned the other way.—
Lauren Rothery,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The losses shook investors’ confidence in Milei’s ability to see through his economic reforms.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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The unit shook off the penalties and miscues to contain a talented Oklahoma defensive line.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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D’Angelo’s death has rocked fans and fellow artists, but nobody is feeling the weight of this grief more than his children.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Earth shuddered with yet another wave of extinctions in this initial chill.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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For much of last season, Atletico appeared set to seriously compete on all fronts, but their season shuddered to a stop in March with a series of disappointing defeats by Barcelona and Madrid across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Tottered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tottered. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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