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
If the bottom falls out of, say, the Chinese real-estate market—among the largest asset classes in the world—the entire global economy could totter.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The suspect, age 34, tottered out from a rear holding area in an orange DOC jumpsuit that was a size or two too large for his reed-thin frame.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
Following the screening, guests caught Miu Miu cabs—or tottered the 10 minutes by foot—to Langan’s Brasserie.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Then there's the small, sweet moments—video of my goddaughter tottering in her first pair of shoes; my cat caught mid-yawn; a selfie of me and my dad on a date to the symphony.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for totter
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The suspect, age 34, tottered out from a rear holding area in an orange DOC jumpsuit that was a size or two too large for his reed-thin frame.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
Following the screening, guests caught Miu Miu cabs—or tottered the 10 minutes by foot—to Langan’s Brasserie.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Then there's the small, sweet moments—video of my goddaughter tottering in her first pair of shoes; my cat caught mid-yawn; a selfie of me and my dad on a date to the symphony.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for totter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totter
Verb
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As Harry staggers away from what's left of his victim, Richie seems satisfied.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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The data collection efforts that have been shut down or are at risk of being curtailed are staggering in their breadth.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Musk’s comments about his time allotment come just hours after a group of eight Democratic state treasurers wrote to the chair of Tesla’s board about the company’s faltering performance.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
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The Business Drama: Volatility, Strategy, and Turnaround What followed was a decade of operational rework—sometimes faltering, sometimes brilliant.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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My stomach dropped as my seat lurched backwards, pointing me towards the shoreline.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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As the war lurched into its fourth year, Russian losses of tanks, fighting vehicles and other heavy equipment had exceeded 20,000, according to the analysts at the Oryx intelligence collective, which confirms each loss with imagery from the front line.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Siba raced back inside and dropped to the ground, her entire body trembling.—
Christina Goldbaum,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Even some spineless Republicans in Congress—who should be carrying President Trump's flag—are trembling instead of cheering his fight for America's soul.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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If margins compress further - while the company pours billions into AI with no proven ROI - the entire bull case starts to wobble.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Her willpower wobbling, the 37-year-old nurse and mother of three pushed her shopping cart forward, giving the friendly salesman a wide berth.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The United States Geological Survey reports that light shaking could be felt as far southeast as Bursa, which is approximately 97 miles south of Istanbul.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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On Tuesday, not so much, the Lakers showing their clear dominance in every area backed by a legendarily springtime loud home crowd that annually shakes, rattles and rolls.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He’s enjoyed his journey so far, rocking stages from small venues, such as nightclubs, to even having a brief performance at Rolling Loud.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacbee.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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However, the Cincinnati Reds star became a polarizing figure when news of his gambling on games rocked the sports world.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totter. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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