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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 totter
Buruma has much to say about the shifting sands of loyalties as the Nazi and Japanese empires collapsed and the dominions of the old European imperialist powers tottered.
—
Max Hastings, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
The result would be that incumbents would lag, populists would surge, and democratic institutions would totter.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s economy is tottering and reliant on IMF bailouts, while the powerful military is entrenched in every aspect of life, according to its critics.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
If the bottom falls out of, say, the Chinese real-estate market—among the largest asset classes in the world—the entire global economy could totter.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totter
Max Hastings, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
The result would be that incumbents would lag, populists would surge, and democratic institutions would totter.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s economy is tottering and reliant on IMF bailouts, while the powerful military is entrenched in every aspect of life, according to its critics.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
If the bottom falls out of, say, the Chinese real-estate market—among the largest asset classes in the world—the entire global economy could totter.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
When corporate processes eclipse the culture, ventures almost inevitably falter.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The Taxpayers can lurch from old-school punk into pop, ballad and experimental territories.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The sound is electronic and rhythmically driven; the singing trembles with desire and confusion.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Mariners reliever Trent Thornton wobbled on the mound with one out in the eighth.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
But the humble protein powerhouse has never seemed to be able to shake the bad reputation.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
But in that time of rounding corners only to find another door closed, my relentless hopefulness had finally been shaken.—
Kelsey Cox,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The news cycle has been upsetting for so many as deadly flash floods swept away homes and loved ones and rocked central Texas and New Mexico.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
But Alcaraz collected the next four points by forcing mistakes by Fritz to finish off the win, then rocked back on his heels, spread his arms wide and screamed.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share