1
as in staggers
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 falters
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 totters
But The Gilded Age doesn’t do pure villains with its main cast, and Oscar totters between failson and tragic figure, the closeted heir of the Van Rhijn family dragged to hell and back after being defrauded of his mother’s fortune.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totters
Verb
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Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.—
Fielding Buck,
Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If Smack falters, Havrisik — who kicked in three games last season — is an option.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Once there’s some significant progress on the cross-country escape plan, the film falters a bit.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The film unhurriedly lurches from one markedly similar fight scene to the next, with only Skeletor’s occasional injections of ripe innuendo to liven them up a bit.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
2 June 2026
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By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Sketch a plan for practice, then show up even if motivation wobbles.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Apr. 2026
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The show continually wobbles between these two poles.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And finally… ▶️ Explosion rocks fireworks factory Video captured the dramatic moment a fireworks factory erupted in Malta on Monday.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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Kristin Cavallari rocks the runway for Shop Resa x Uncommon James during Miami Swim Week on May 28.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Beside her, the dog shakes itself, droplets flying from it, then fixes her with an appraising gaze.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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The Moon, planet of our emotions, lifts your 10th House of Career, while innovative Uranus shakes your 4th House of Home and Family.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Totters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totters. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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