1
as in to stagger
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 to falter
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
the figurine tottered precariously for a moment before falling off the shelf
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of totter
What even is progressivism? Famous for being a pioneer of progressive political discourse, San Francisco has in recent years tottered toward the center.
—
Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
The Vodafone Japan deal, on the other hand, was executed at a time when SoftBank was tottering, required extraordinary chutzpah, flawless execution and a ton of cash.
—Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024
Gorbachev was desperate to ease the burden of the arms race on his tottering communist system, and Reagan had long harbored an ambition to abolish nuclear weapons altogether.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
These include a chocolate-brown safe about five feet tall that reveals itself to be full of bobbleheads, the tottering rictus of Suns-era Stephon Marbury peering out at me from the dark.
—Giri Nathan, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totter 
Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
The Vodafone Japan deal, on the other hand, was executed at a time when SoftBank was tottering, required extraordinary chutzpah, flawless execution and a ton of cash.
—Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024
Gorbachev was desperate to ease the burden of the arms race on his tottering communist system, and Reagan had long harbored an ambition to abolish nuclear weapons altogether.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
These include a chocolate-brown safe about five feet tall that reveals itself to be full of bobbleheads, the tottering rictus of Suns-era Stephon Marbury peering out at me from the dark.
—Giri Nathan, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
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During combat, adrenaline is built up and that’s used for special moves like a Battle Cry that staggers enemies or other tide-turning moves.—
Gieson Cacho,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
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Even in 2023 when the Yankees staggered to an 82-win finish their bullpen produced a 3.34 ERA.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Her breaking point came during a task that repeatedly pulled the interlocked participants under frigid water: The soggy Sutter faltered when running from the beach with a 30-pound rucksack.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
16 Jan. 2025
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Over the course of the war, ceasefire negotiations have faltered at the eleventh hour on several occasions.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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With a little modulation in either mode, the throttle is responsive without lurching.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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But Fleming And John play their unholy hybrid with absolute conviction, the drums thundering and guitars lurching as Fleming McWilliams howls out her best Robert Plant.—
Marc Hirsh,
Vulture,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Ali studied the medal for a moment, smiled and lifted it to his lips with his right hand — his left hand trembling steadily — and kissed it.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
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Anxious dogs and cats may pace around a room, tremble, shed fur, or compulsively vomit up meals.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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There’s even a shot of a monitor on wheels rolling down the hall, wobbling anxiously as Nwodim’s onscreen interview relates her own sudden, shaky-legged journey.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
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Meteorologist Ryan Maue, posting on X, said, that the Canadian Arctic 'polar vortex' is predicted to wobble into the Great Lakes and Southeast into mid-January.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Venus will conjunct Saturn in Pisces — shaking your expansive ninth house of adventure, wisdom and belief systems — presenting you with a chance to harness your intuition and emotional intelligence to create a practical plan.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
17 Jan. 2025
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Back then, a nearly 3% devaluation shook markets everywhere.—
William Pesek,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Proof of that legacy comes with D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Terry Lewis and Living Colour’s Vernon Reid attesting to the Family Stone’s massive popularity at the time over footage of the group rocking the stage.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Jan. 2025
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Other performers were able to camp it up, in costume to cover ‘90s hits by Cher or the Spice Girls, but rocking it out with Carlile and the Hanseroth Twins headbanging behind her, Amanfu sounded as serious as a heart attack.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near totter
Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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