teeter

1 of 2

verb

tee·​ter ˈtē-tər How to pronounce teeter (audio)
teetered; teetering; teeters
Synonyms of teeternext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move unsteadily : wobble
b
: waver, vacillate
teetered on the brink of bankruptcy
2
: seesaw

teeter

2 of 2

noun

: seesaw sense 2b

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of teeter in a Sentence

Verb The pile of books teetered and fell to the floor. She teetered down the street in her high heels.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Phoenix highlights a core truth about climate migration: a city can boom economically while teetering on the brink of ecological collapse. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 The 2022 second-round pick is on the final year of his rookie deal and teetering on the edge of a massive payday. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 July 2025
Noun
Visually, this production teeters between charming and distracting. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025 As the giant teeters on the brink of death, its inner layers mix to create just the right neutron-rich environment for the s-process to unfold. — Jenna Ahart, Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for teeter

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English titeren to totter, reel; akin to Old High German zittarōn to shiver

First Known Use

Verb

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of teeter was in 1844

Phrases Containing teeter

Rhymes for teeter

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Browse Nearby Words

teetee
teeter
teeterboard
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Cite this Entry

“Teeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teeter. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

teeter

verb
tee·​ter
ˈtēt-ər
1
a
: to move unsteadily
teetered on the edge and fell over the side
b
: waver sense 1
2
: seesaw entry 2 sense 2
teeter noun

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Nglish: Translation of teeter for Spanish Speakers

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