tottering

[ tot-er-ing ]

adjective

1. walking unsteadily or shakily.
2. lacking security or stability; threatening to collapse; precarious:

   a tottering empire.

Other Words From

• totter·ing·ly adverb
• un·totter·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tottering¹

totter + -ing ²

Example Sentences

He is vividly, fearfully aware of how much worse things might get than the rotten, tottering system he upholds.

From The Daily Beast

The bankrupt ones are outlined in red, while the tottering ones have orange outlines.

From The Daily Beast

Egypt is tottering between rule by Islamists and the military.

From The Daily Beast

Bags had grown to this enormous monstrosity, wildly unfunctional, akin to tottering around on seven-inch heels.

From The Daily Beast

And in all the rest of the world, half a dozen old men, if so many, tottering toward their graves.

From The Daily Beast

See the tottering baby cling to its mother for support; watch it run to her when it is frightened.

From Project Gutenberg

He held out his hand to shake hers, and just as she gave it to him, the old grandmother came tottering up to ask some question.

From Project Gutenberg

I ran ahead of the tottering figure and she followed, her steps gathering strength.

From Project Gutenberg

The great body moved, gathered itself, stood tottering, gazing wildly about.

From Project Gutenberg

David mounted with misgivings as to whether the tottering beast had strength to carry him, but they crossed the ford in safety.

From Project Gutenberg