totter
verb (used without object)
to walk or go with faltering, unsteady steps.
were tottering
-
past progressiveof totter.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Old empires were tottering, and world powers were vying for position.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 1, 2022
When skipper Daniel Vettori was out in the 42nd over, the Kiwis were tottering on 158-5, but the in-form Guptill fired 11 fours in his 80 from 154 balls.
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2010
After the Wilde-Douglas episode, Beardsley gradually made a comeback, but his career and life were tottering toward an end.
From Time Magazine Archive
Under the onset of the Nazi conquests the walls of the whole known world were tottering.
From Time Magazine Archive
This was using up time perilously, but it had to be done, for the beasts were tottering.
From Overland by J. W. (John William) De Forest
