1
as in to falter
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
he nervously teetered at the edge of the pool before finally diving in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side
the toddler teetered down the rink in her new ice skates
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
was teetering on the brink of making a decision about college
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of teeter
In a 48-hour whirlwind, President Donald Trump veered from elated to indignant to triumphant as his fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement came together, teetered toward collapse and ultimately coalesced.
—
Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Huda and Jeremiah are still married if teetering on the rocks.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Ukraine National News Ukraine’s economy is teetering on the brink as the war with Russia shows no signs of abating.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Russia's economy, buoyed for months by wartime spending, may now be teetering toward recession, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov said on Thursday, according to Russian media reports.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Huda and Jeremiah are still married if teetering on the rocks.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Ukraine National News Ukraine’s economy is teetering on the brink as the war with Russia shows no signs of abating.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Russia's economy, buoyed for months by wartime spending, may now be teetering toward recession, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov said on Thursday, according to Russian media reports.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for teeter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teeter
Verb
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When corporate processes eclipse the culture, ventures almost inevitably falter.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Here are a few more takeaways from Monday’s game: Michael Wacha falters late Wacha had trouble navigating the Mariners’ lineup.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2025
Verb
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According to the terms of the proposal, the release of the 10 living hostages and 15 bodies will be staggered over the 60-day period the temporary ceasefire is in effect.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 July 2025
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The victim staggered up to the mezzanine before collapsing at a turnstile, according to an MTA worker.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Don’t hesitate to end partnerships with contractors who aren’t aligned with your vision or delivering results.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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In this way, the ellipsoid would change shape in jerky, hesitating motions, gradually exploring the space around it.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
7 July 2025
Verb
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If not for his defensive deterrence, the Heat may not have regained their defensive stride after the team was wobbled by Butler’s indifference prior to his parting.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 July 2025
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Mariners reliever Trent Thornton wobbled on the mound with one out in the eighth.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2025
Verb
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With the stunning reemergence of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic socialists in the New York City mayor’s election, the Democratic Party is lurching even further to the left, leaving them even more alienated and out of touch.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
26 June 2025
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The Taxpayers can lurch from old-school punk into pop, ballad and experimental territories.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
Verb
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The president has vacillated in recent months between deporting all individuals who are in the country illegally and being sympathetic to farmers and hospitality executives who rely on such migrant workers for labor.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
4 July 2025
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Christopher Landon is a master at making audiences vacillate between gut-wrenching terror and gut-busting laughter.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Wires were seen submerged in pooling water across the floor and high winds made the floor and walls of the facility’s tents tremble, reporter video from CNN affiliate Spectrum News 13 showed.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
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The sound is electronic and rhythmically driven; the singing trembles with desire and confusion.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Verb
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As Joe Biden tottered and fell (literally as well as metaphorically), more than a few pundits compared him to Lear, a man who was ruined by age, pride, and the flattery of sycophants.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
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Dina Tomczak, the school’s athletic director, tottered into her office having barely slept.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Teeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teeter. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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