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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waddle
Luna, the family’s Labradoodle, waddled in and lapped water from the bowl.
—
Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
When not flapping their wings, the chicks waddle around the nest, finding shady spots and playing with sticks and their dad's tail, the nonprofit said.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 12 May 2026
An intrepid sea lion nicknamed Chonkers is waddling his way into the hearts of tourists and locals who have flocked to San Francisco's Pier 39 for a glimpse of the massive pinniped.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Quiet Tragedy of the Bottle-Fed Fawn Imprinting is one of those words people toss around casually, usually attached to baby ducks waddling after a researcher.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for waddle
Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
When not flapping their wings, the chicks waddle around the nest, finding shady spots and playing with sticks and their dad's tail, the nonprofit said.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 12 May 2026
An intrepid sea lion nicknamed Chonkers is waddling his way into the hearts of tourists and locals who have flocked to San Francisco's Pier 39 for a glimpse of the massive pinniped.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Quiet Tragedy of the Bottle-Fed Fawn Imprinting is one of those words people toss around casually, usually attached to baby ducks waddling after a researcher.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for waddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waddle
Verb
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The lone survivor of the half-hour killing spree, critically injured 49-year-old David Hernandez, staggered to a nearby street where police officers were trying to revive another Santos victim.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Three commissioners serve staggered six-year terms.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The energy crisis has only amplified that business case as fuel prices lurch.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Instead of thoughtful, adaptive action, characters lurch between hesitation and reckless decisions, with catastrophic results.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Verb
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That vision came to life during the festival that followed the walk; attendees danced to live music and children weaved through the crowd waving pride flags.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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Lawmakers can also find ways to weave their policies into other bills that may not bear their names.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Models are tottering on the cobblestoned Bond Street with their heels getting stuck in the rivets.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Other major destinations, which have seen their order in the top-six markets by size shuffle rapidly in recent months, painted a mixed picture.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
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Having gone into hiding, Walt ultimately manages to make some things right before shuffling off the mortal coil.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waddle. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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