1
as in staggered
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 faltered
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tottered
Verb
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Seats are elected from each of the city’s wards and serve staggered, four-year terms.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025 -
The 49ers, under Kyle Shanahan’s watch since 2017, traditionally have staggered through Oktoberfest, posting a 16-22 record and losing at least two October games every season except during the 2019 team’s 8-0 start.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More than 70% of the investment committed in 2023 came from international public finance; however, progress in programs such as the World Bank’s landmark Mission300, established that year, has faltered.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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When her movie career as an adult faltered, Lockhart shifted to television, appearing in live drama from New York and game and talk shows.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.—
Lyle Goldstein,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Truth is, Arizona State (5-3, 3-2 in the Big 12) has wobbled for much of this season.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The rotating fan clicked, wobbled, and turned the other way.—
Lauren Rothery,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter roughly 9 miles west of Johannesburg.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Stone, who rocked a daring pixie cut during awards season, has also been making headlines for her style as of late — particularly for opening up about shaving her head for her role in Bugonia.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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The famous couple has been rocked by rumors of a family feud with their oldest son and his wife for a hot minute now.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Earth shuddered with yet another wave of extinctions in this initial chill.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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For much of last season, Atletico appeared set to seriously compete on all fronts, but their season shuddered to a stop in March with a series of disappointing defeats by Barcelona and Madrid across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Tottered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tottered. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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