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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of totter
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
The Vodafone Japan deal, on the other hand, was executed at a time when SoftBank was tottering, required extraordinary chutzpah, flawless execution and a ton of cash.
—Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024
Gorbachev was desperate to ease the burden of the arms race on his tottering communist system, and Reagan had long harbored an ambition to abolish nuclear weapons altogether.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
These include a chocolate-brown safe about five feet tall that reveals itself to be full of bobbleheads, the tottering rictus of Suns-era Stephon Marbury peering out at me from the dark.
—Giri Nathan, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totter 
Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
The Vodafone Japan deal, on the other hand, was executed at a time when SoftBank was tottering, required extraordinary chutzpah, flawless execution and a ton of cash.
—Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024
Gorbachev was desperate to ease the burden of the arms race on his tottering communist system, and Reagan had long harbored an ambition to abolish nuclear weapons altogether.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
These include a chocolate-brown safe about five feet tall that reveals itself to be full of bobbleheads, the tottering rictus of Suns-era Stephon Marbury peering out at me from the dark.
—Giri Nathan, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
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During combat, adrenaline is built up and that’s used for special moves like a Battle Cry that staggers enemies or other tide-turning moves.—
Gieson Cacho,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
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Even in 2023 when the Yankees staggered to an 82-win finish their bullpen produced a 3.34 ERA.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Persistence is key – never falter, never surrender!—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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The swingman’s stats have also faltered this past month, with his scoring and shooting attempts dropping drastically, which many have attributed to Butler’s uninspired play and seeming lack of motivation.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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With a little modulation in either mode, the throttle is responsive without lurching.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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But Fleming And John play their unholy hybrid with absolute conviction, the drums thundering and guitars lurching as Fleming McWilliams howls out her best Robert Plant.—
Marc Hirsh,
Vulture,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Ali studied the medal for a moment, smiled and lifted it to his lips with his right hand — his left hand trembling steadily — and kissed it.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
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Anxious dogs and cats may pace around a room, tremble, shed fur, or compulsively vomit up meals.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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There’s even a shot of a monitor on wheels rolling down the hall, wobbling anxiously as Nwodim’s onscreen interview relates her own sudden, shaky-legged journey.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
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Its mechanical elements — the wobbling pins in particular — add a unique dynamic.—
Thomas Curwen,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The coach reportedly failed to shake hands with the coaches of Denver Torah.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
29 Jan. 2025
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Video surveillance footage from inside the St. Paul Saloon showed Pickens shaking hands with Brown, then immediately making a phone call to Moore and tipping him off of Brown’s whereabouts.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Proof of that legacy comes with D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Terry Lewis and Living Colour’s Vernon Reid attesting to the Family Stone’s massive popularity at the time over footage of the group rocking the stage.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Jan. 2025
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Other performers were able to camp it up, in costume to cover ‘90s hits by Cher or the Spice Girls, but rocking it out with Carlile and the Hanseroth Twins headbanging behind her, Amanfu sounded as serious as a heart attack.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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