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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He looks staggered at first, then disgusted, and, finally, proud.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026 -
And yet here stand the Miami Heat, staggered by a four-game losing streak that now includes Saturday night’s 123-122 loss to the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Washington led 111-106 with 6 1/2 minutes remaining, but the Wizards defense faltered after that.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Fland’s defense — his calling card — faltered on the decisive play.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since then, the larger culture has lurched rightward, with big corporations abandoning progressive signaling in favor of…other priorities.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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Over the course of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s term, CPS has lurched from budget crisis to budget crisis, able only to muddle through due to record-breaking mayoral declarations of tax-increment-financing surpluses.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Powerhouse Duke wobbled into an improbable, surreal 11-point halftime deficit against Siena.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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For one night, or one period really, the Stars wobbled.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The snake struck and shook its tail to protect itself, releasing its notorious rattle warning.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The death of Rodarte shook the Northern California town of about 12,000, marking the city’s first officer killed in the line of duty in more than a century.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Still, though, the subs’ desk rocked with laughter.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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The race is expected to be tight and follows a campaign rocked by allegations of foreign interference that stunned the traditionally moderate EU country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Later, when Tristan gently put his hand on Marke’s shoulder, the king shuddered.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Tottered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tottered. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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