teeter

1 of 2

verb

tee·​ter ˈtē-tər 

teetered; teetering; teeters

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move unsteadily : wobble

b

: waver, vacillate

teetered on the brink of bankruptcy

2

: seesaw

teeter

2 of 2

noun

: seesaw sense 2b

Synonyms

Verb

• falter
• rock
• totter
• waver
• wobble
• wabble

Examples of teeter in a Sentence

Verb

The pile of books teetered and fell to the floor.

She teetered down the street in her high heels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

People have grown accustomed to the club languishing in the lower half, so slipping behind an Everton side that has teetered on the brink of implosion for much of the season barely registers. —Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025

The indictment describes an enterprise constantly teetering on the edge of failure as the Beckmans allegedly solicited and obtained investments via false financial documents that dramatically overstated company sales, profit and bank balances. —Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

Noun

In that way, the Y3K style teeters between minimalism and maximalism uniquely and interestingly. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2025

The Trump administration’s embrace of Mr. Chew is significant as the app teeters on the brink of death in the United States. —Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English titeren to totter, reel; akin to Old High German zittarōn to shiver

First Known Use

Verb

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing teeter

• teeter-totter

Kids Definition

teeter

verb

tee·​ter

ˈtēt-ər

1

a

: to move unsteadily

teetered on the edge and fell over the side

b

: waver sense 1

2

: seesaw entry 2 sense 2

teeter noun