teeter

1 of 2

verb

tee·​ter ˈtē-tər 

teetered; teetering; teeters

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move unsteadily : wobble

b

: waver, vacillate

teetered on the brink of bankruptcy

2

: seesaw

teeter

2 of 2

noun

: seesaw sense 2b

Synonyms

Verb

• falter
• rock
• totter
• waver
• wobble
• wabble

Examples of teeter in a Sentence

Verb

The pile of books teetered and fell to the floor.

She teetered down the street in her high heels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In November 1983, the US, Soviet Union and the rest of the world were teetering closer than ever on the edge of nuclear war. —Scottie Andrew, CNN, 9 June 2024

No love lost between Renault and Volkswagen Talks between Renault and Volkswagen to build the car collapsed after weeks teetering on the precipice. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 31 May 2024

Noun

For Crystal and Charles, whose friendship teeters on the edge of something more, Nelson describes them as both lost in their own individual ways. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 May 2024

Amid the delay, thousands of Haitians have either lost their lives or been injured, and Haiti teeters on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe as millions of people are unable to find enough food to eat. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English titeren to totter, reel; akin to Old High German zittarōn to shiver

First Known Use

Verb

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing teeter

• teeter-totter

Kids Definition

teeter

verb

tee·​ter

ˈtēt-ər

1

a

: to move unsteadily

teetered on the edge and fell over the side

b

: waver sense 1

2

: seesaw entry 2 sense 2

teeter noun