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
Iraqi state institutions such as these were already tottering, and these actions threaten to erode them further.
—
Michael Knights, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2023
European auto sales charts are filled with red ink as economies totter but a rare positive story surrounds Toyota’s premium subsidy Lexus, which will be helped by its newest electric vehicle, the RZ 300e.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
America was full of hope, tottering hastily toward a technological age filled with grand expectations for the future.
—Ruby Thélot, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for totter
Michael Knights, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2023
European auto sales charts are filled with red ink as economies totter but a rare positive story surrounds Toyota’s premium subsidy Lexus, which will be helped by its newest electric vehicle, the RZ 300e.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
America was full of hope, tottering hastily toward a technological age filled with grand expectations for the future.
—Ruby Thélot, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
-
The chairman’s four-year term is intentionally staggered against the president’s term so that a single chairman advises two presidents.—
Dwight Stirling,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2025
-
He was staggered during a 10-game losing streak that saw the Bears fire offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in Week 11 and then launch head coach Matt Eberflus 17 days later.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The ability to navigate workforce reductions while continuing to invest in leadership development will distinguish thriving organizations from those that falter in the coming years.—
Jason Wingard,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
However, after transitioning to WWE's main roster, Black's momentum faltered, and he was ultimately released in 2021.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Onlookers often see a chaotic show—politicians exploiting controversy, celebrities minting obscure tokens, and a sector seemingly lurching from one scandal to the next.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
-
With American soldiers still fighting in the Pacific theater, my father joined a war bond tour, lurching around the United States with some of the flag-raising soldiers to drum up financial support for what turned out to be the waning days of World War II.—
Hannah Beech,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
There were towering Great Danes, tiny, trembling Chihuahuas, and every shape of fluff in between.—
Savannah White,
Glamour,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The ground would tremble now as a 110-ton launcher closure door opens and the engine ignites.—
Alfredo Sosa,
The Christian Science Monitor,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Even as Nvidia is raking in revenue and Big Tech is powering ahead with capex, confidence in the U.S. economy seems to be wobbling slightly.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Early into the second half, as Liverpool began to wobble, Marshall Munetsi, making his Premier League debut for Wolves as a second-half substitute, was slipped clear with a pass behind the home defence.—
Gregg Evans,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
George may be wild about her, but his trust in her is shaken.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
-
What’s a deadline without a head-scratcher to shake things up?—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Local economies of counties with thousands of federal workers now subject to Musk’s axe could be rocked.—
Pat Beall,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The actor leaned all the way into the mob wife aesthetic while promoting her new movie The Electric State in Madrid, Spain, rocking a chunky French manicure that would make Carmela Soprano jealous.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share