as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side
the duck waddled back into the water we watched the penguins waddle over the ice together
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waddle
When Paddington first waddles on stage during the new West End musical based on the beloved bear, the audience at the Savoy Theatre can hardly contain their excitement.
—
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Nov. 2025
Like, waddling-around, can't-see-your-feet, fifteen-chins fat.
—Gretchen Hansen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Ursula waddles back into the ocean, knowing full well that sometimes girl code is the harshest weapon of all.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
In an October 23 Instagram video posted by user @jenjinete, a tiny Shih Tzu puppy can be seen waddling onto the porch, tail wagging rapidly, as the mailman approaches to make the day's delivery.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for waddle
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Nov. 2025
Like, waddling-around, can't-see-your-feet, fifteen-chins fat.
—Gretchen Hansen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Ursula waddles back into the ocean, knowing full well that sometimes girl code is the harshest weapon of all.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
In an October 23 Instagram video posted by user @jenjinete, a tiny Shih Tzu puppy can be seen waddling onto the porch, tail wagging rapidly, as the mailman approaches to make the day's delivery.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for waddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waddle
Verb
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Layoffs will be staggered through the site’s closure on April 29.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
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The pools are staggered across levels (some adults-only), and there are connecting rooms and kid-friendly food.—
Jonnie Bayfield,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When her car began to lurch forward, an agent near the front left-side of the SUV drew his gun and shot her at close range.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
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Natanya complicates her old-school character sketch with cerebral shifts in perspective, affecting each of the voices that accompany a young woman’s drive for success and independence (demanding friends and parents, sexist expectations, her own willpower) in a lurching cascade of melodies.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Before every artful-minded modern horror film became about grief and trauma, The Babadook explored these themes with authenticity, deftly weaving in Amelia's grief over the loss of her husband and her inability to control her son with traditional horror tropes.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
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Across it, Thomas embraces maximalism, weaving together R&B, funk, and psychedelic rock to showcase his wide array of influences (everyone from D’Angelo to Jimi Hendrix) and talents as a multi-instrumentalist.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The downstairs staffs of the richest and noblest families start to shuffle around so chaotically that even Lady Whistledown takes notice of in her column.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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The videos showed Chicago kissing and hugging a sable-furred puppy in the family's living room while Psalm shuffled around on his hands and knees trying to chase one of the dark-haired dogs around the room.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waddle. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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