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
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for tottered
Verb
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Implementation of the program will be staggered, starting in elementary schools in 2030, for Texas’ more than 5 million students – about 10% of the national total.
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Since the notices will be staggered, however, some borrowers may have more time.
Verb
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Russell Henley also made a 4-under push on Sunday to finish 10-under, while Cam Young faltered in the final pairing with a 1-over round to finish 10-under as well.
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Brazobán faltered, however, allowing a walk and two hits, the last of which being a two-out RBI single by Trae Turner that put the Phillies up, 2-1.
Verb
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Initial data indicates both of these earthquakes were strike-slip, Magnani said, meaning one plate lurched past the other along the boundary.
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Rodney McDonald, who was traveling with his wife and two sons, told ABC News the ordeal began when the aircraft unexpectedly lurched.
Verb
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Suddenly, the tent jerked and wobbled.
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Sunny Side of the Doc may have wobbled after its 36th edition.
Verb
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Thousands of fans in Mexico lost their minds and shook the earth.
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Multiple explosions shook central Kyiv and reverberated across the capital throughout the night as thousands of residents rushed to bomb shelters and underground metro stations.
Verb
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The strike rocked the Ecuadorians, whose stingy defense had been their hallmark throughout qualifying for this World Cup, and La Tri gathered together for a pep talk as Azteca boomed around them.
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This piece can be read in the context of an event that rocked Koreans, and the world, in 2016.
Verb
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The way the stadium shuddered with noise.
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At least the elevator still creaked and shuddered, as in the old days, finally trembling open on the eighth floor.
Cite this Entry
“Tottered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tottered. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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