as in lurched
to move forward while swaying from side to side
the duck waddled back into the water we watched the penguins waddle over the ice together
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waddled
Built more like an elite defensive end than a traditional basketball player, Williamson waddled around between plays but was an undeniable force once the game began.
—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Partway up the trail, three penguins waddled past, entirely unbothered by the humans who stepped aside for them, and then belly-slid into the freezing water.
—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Luna, the family’s Labradoodle, waddled in and lapped water from the bowl.
—
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
When temperatures dropped below 30 degrees this month, the penguins waddled to warmth by going to their indoor enclosure.
—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Partway up the trail, three penguins waddled past, entirely unbothered by the humans who stepped aside for them, and then belly-slid into the freezing water.
—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Luna, the family’s Labradoodle, waddled in and lapped water from the bowl.
—
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
When temperatures dropped below 30 degrees this month, the penguins waddled to warmth by going to their indoor enclosure.
—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waddled
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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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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Sarah was sent to a mental hospital, and the boys were shuffled among family members, ending up with their penniless grandmother in Kentucky.
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As soon as the game wrapped up, those guests shuffled out, and hours later were replaced by a rowdier group ordering shots at the bar, dancing to 2000s hits in front of the DJ booth and smoking vape pens on the outdoor patio.
Verb
-
On the floor, waist-high piles of books tottered like miniature leaning towers of Pisa.
Cite this Entry
“Waddled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waddled. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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