as in shaking
marked by or given to small uncontrollable bodily movements
after the accident, she was only able to take a few tottering steps at a time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in staggering
to move forward while swaying from side to side
tottered around the house as she practiced walking in high heels
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in faltering
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 tottering
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Models are tottering on the cobblestoned Bond Street with their heels getting stuck in the rivets.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Neither of them understands the other’s dynamic with Daniel, and the split-episode format keeps our sympathies teeter-tottering between each woman.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Models are tottering on the cobblestoned Bond Street with their heels getting stuck in the rivets.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tottering
Verb
-
The works depicted broken figures staggering toward the viewer in ragged uniforms — in distorted sizes, giant hands and small heads.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The works depicted broken figures staggering toward the viewer in ragged uniforms — in distorted sizes, giant hand and small heads.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
After faltering in last year’s Div.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
But now, as the public understands the consequences of our faltering democracy, more people are talking about it, Drutman said.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
These are some of the heaviest grooves that Seefeel have created in ages, channeling lurching currents through intricate chains of dub delay.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
6 May 2026
-
The ladies haven’t had that problem, lurching out of the gate like the racehorses at Ascot.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
That week’s host, Emily Blunt, did the trembly voice-over.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
21 Dec. 2020
Verb
-
Moreover, some prominent Wall Street voices think the month could feature some catch-up for a labor market that was teetering at this time last year, with risks to the downside for the headline number.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
West Contra Costa Unified, the second largest of its 18 districts, is teetering.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Art schools, like all schools, are wobbling under the illogic of the cost-benefit math.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Your calm precision can keep the whole plan from wobbling.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Brith, who is ahead and in charge, is taking as her guide the stream, which sparks in the sunlight, cutting a narrow channel through the hillside, weaving itself around rocks and tree trunks, appearing and disappearing, diving underground then springing up in unexpected places.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
The latter can seem more like a game of dodgeball with bikes weaving in and out of your path.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
People gathered near the site to get a front row seat to the ground-shaking event.—
Abigail Dollins,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2026
-
Then, during one family movie night in November 2020, her husband noticed her arm was shaking.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tottering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tottering. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
