1
as in falters
to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side
he nervously teetered at the edge of the pool before finally diving in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in staggers
to move forward while swaying from side to side
the toddler teetered down the rink in her new ice skates
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in hesitates
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
was teetering on the brink of making a decision about college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of teeters
Alongside organist Ståle Storløkken and drummer Ole Mofjell, the Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns (the third word a slang term for Norwegians) form a groove that teeters toward explosiveness without ever reaching it.
—
Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 24 Apr. 2026
For the first time ever my weight now teeters at the tippy, tippy top of that green zone.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2026
But as the region teeters on the brink of a new and dangerous escalation, yet more negative consequences – like the evils that escaped Pandora’s box – could soon be unleashed.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The country’s already cratering economy now teeters on the verge of collapse, with vehicles idled by a lack of gas, hospitals forced to cancel surgeries and millions living without a steady supply of electricity and water.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
The entire river system now teeters on the brink, and this year’s snow drought may be what pushes it over the edge.
—Jonathan Thompson, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
The district teeters on the edge of insolvency in the face of a mayor and his main backer, the Chicago Teachers Union, staunchly opposed to consolidating any schools even though a third of them are at less than half their student capacity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
In response to my prod, the bot merely teeters.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 24 Apr. 2026
For the first time ever my weight now teeters at the tippy, tippy top of that green zone.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2026
But as the region teeters on the brink of a new and dangerous escalation, yet more negative consequences – like the evils that escaped Pandora’s box – could soon be unleashed.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The country’s already cratering economy now teeters on the verge of collapse, with vehicles idled by a lack of gas, hospitals forced to cancel surgeries and millions living without a steady supply of electricity and water.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
The entire river system now teeters on the brink, and this year’s snow drought may be what pushes it over the edge.
—Jonathan Thompson, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
The district teeters on the edge of insolvency in the face of a mayor and his main backer, the Chicago Teachers Union, staunchly opposed to consolidating any schools even though a third of them are at less than half their student capacity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
In response to my prod, the bot merely teeters.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teeters
Verb
-
But even if Ohtani falters against the Giants, who rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored per game, that will not be a death knell to his candidacy.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As funding falters, the need for city government to step into the shoes of philanthropists like Gund and Lauder becomes even more vital.—
Gale Brewer,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.—
Fielding Buck,
Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If a gatekeeper hesitates, breathe and restate your win.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In the finale, Nicky hesitates at the altar, leading Rachel to question their relationship.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sketch a plan for practice, then show up even if motivation wobbles.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The show continually wobbles between these two poles.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 2026
-
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pearl, Dale’s adult daughter, vacillates between disbelieving that her father committed suicide and blaming her mother for it.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The opening Allegro vacillates between punchy jabs and fluttery gaiety.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But The Gilded Age doesn’t do pure villains with its main cast, and Oscar totters between failson and tragic figure, the closeted heir of the Van Rhijn family dragged to hell and back after being defrauded of his mother’s fortune.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Woody Harrelson rocks a newsboy cap at the premiere of Animal Farm in New York City on April 21.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Teeters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teeters. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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