as in lurching
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
Relevance
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 waddling
Once considered delightfully kitschy relics of suburban Americana, porch geese are waddling their way back into the spotlight.
—
Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026
Once all of the ducklings were tucked into the basket, the animals were carried to a nearby canal, with their mother waddling behind them.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
The only telltale sign of what lies below the surface is a metal set of stairs, leading into the icy blue channel, and small groups of divers and snorkelers waddling across the gravel paths in full gear.
—Carinne Geil Botta, Travel + Leisure, 16 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
Think penguins waddling back to the same partner each breeding season.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Video footage from Levi’s Stadium shows people dressed as trees waddling onto the field and taking position before Bad Bunny's performance kicks off.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Like, waddling-around, can't-see-your-feet, fifteen-chins fat.
—Gretchen Hansen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026
Once all of the ducklings were tucked into the basket, the animals were carried to a nearby canal, with their mother waddling behind them.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
The only telltale sign of what lies below the surface is a metal set of stairs, leading into the icy blue channel, and small groups of divers and snorkelers waddling across the gravel paths in full gear.
—Carinne Geil Botta, Travel + Leisure, 16 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
Think penguins waddling back to the same partner each breeding season.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Video footage from Levi’s Stadium shows people dressed as trees waddling onto the field and taking position before Bad Bunny's performance kicks off.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Like, waddling-around, can't-see-your-feet, fifteen-chins fat.
—Gretchen Hansen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waddling
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
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
-
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
-
The move comes one year after the team promoted Saleh to general manager after another round of shuffling in its front office.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
27 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
-
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
Verb
-
Pamushana's infinity pool glitters to the cliff edge, beneath which is the Malilangwe Dam and panoramic views of rolling hills covered in green mopane woodland and orange sandstone cliffs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Anthropic, maker of Claude, one of the most popular artificial intelligence models on the market, has started the ball rolling on an initial public offering.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Shouting, slamming doors and feet stomping are some of the noises that concern many home bakers anxiously awaiting a baking cake.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
As anyone who's come within a hundred miles of the city will tell you, Nashville is a live-music mecca, overflowing with boot-stomping, fiddle-playing entertainment.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waddling. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
