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Synonyms

teeter

American  
[tee-ter] / ˈti tər /

verb (used without object)

  1. to move unsteadily.

  2. to ride a seesaw; teetertotter.


verb (used with object)

  1. to tip (something) up and down; move unsteadily.

noun

  1. a seesaw motion; wobble.

  2. a seesaw; teetertotter.

teeter British  
/ ˈtiːtə /

verb

  1. to move or cause to move unsteadily; wobble

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. another word for seesaw

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of teeter

1835–45; variant of dial. titter, Middle English titeren < Old Norse titra tremble; cognate with German zittern to tremble, quiver

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See more: Stocks are teetering on the edge of correction territory.

From MarketWatch

This opening by Havana, a serious breach in the island's anti-capitalist system, comes as the Cuban economy teeters on the brink of collapse.

From Barron's

Instead, Japan’s economy is teetering on the edge of recession.

From Barron's

Lloyd stalked out of the crick and teetered on the bank.

From Literature

Shot in richly textured black and white with a fixed camera, Rosi makes the region’s present look as if it’s always teetering on the edge of a haunting archival status.

From Los Angeles Times