teeter

1 of 2

verb

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

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 of teeter

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Verb

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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
With these teetering burgers, there’s little need for sides. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 And although their brand of comedy teetered on the absurd, the Duncans eventually became about as familiar as the Matthews. — Christian Holub, Entertainment Weekly, 21 June 2026
Noun
Gas prices at the pump teeter in the $4 range. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026 For the first time ever my weight now teeters at the tippy, tippy top of that green zone. — Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2026 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

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of teeter was in 1843

Phrases Containing teeter

Rhymes for teeter

See All Rhymes for teeter

Browse Nearby Words

teetee
teeter
teeterboard
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teeter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on teeter

Nglish: Translation of teeter for Spanish Speakers

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