Tottered

To 'totter' means to move in an unsteady or shaky way, often due to weakness, age, illness, or an unstable surface. It describes a wavering motion, suggesting a near loss of balance and the potential for a fall. It can apply to both physical movement and the precariousness of an abstract concept, like a government on the brink of collapse. The word emphasizes a lack of steadiness, hinting at a struggle to maintain equilibrium, whether physically or metaphorically. The degree of unsteadiness can vary, ranging from a slight wobble to a near collapse, giving the word a broad range of applications in both literal and figurative contexts.

Tottered meaning with examples

• The old man, weakened by illness, tottered across the room, his hand clutching a cane for support. He carefully placed one foot in front of the other, each movement a deliberate effort to prevent a fall. His tottering walk was a clear sign of his fragility, a testament to his declining health. His neighbors watched with a mix of concern and admiration for his resilience.
• Under the weight of the strong winds the newly built structure tottered. As the storm intensified, the frame of the building began to creak and strain. Despite the builder's best efforts it showed signs of instability with a growing concern about its continued upright position and the potential for catastrophe, with the threat growing ever closer with each passing gale.
• The economic recovery, after the financial crisis, tottered on the edge of a double-dip recession. The recovery, slow and fragile, faced many threats, with rising unemployment, high government debt and consumer confidence all adding to the growing unease. The financial markets became very uneasy due to the tottering structure of recovery, which many feared had the potential to fall at any minute.
• She tottered on her high heels across the cobblestone street, desperately trying to maintain her balance. The uneven surface proved a challenge, and her ankles wobbled. Her stylish footwear was clearly not ideal for the situation, and she was forced to make a slower, more cautious progress than she would have preferred. Her tottering gait was a comical dance of precarious equilibrium.
• The regime, after facing many years of protests, tottered as its grip on power began to loosen. The leaders became increasingly isolated, and their support began to dwindle amongst their former followers. The tottering government was faced with calls for reform. Its authority was undermined by corruption, dissent, and internal conflicts, with a revolution looking ever more likely.