teeter
Americanverb (used without object)
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to move unsteadily.
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to ride a seesaw; teetertotter.
verb (used with object)
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to tip (something) up and down; move unsteadily.
noun
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a seesaw motion; wobble.
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a seesaw; teetertotter.
verb
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to move or cause to move unsteadily; wobble
noun
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another word for seesaw
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.
At stake in any investigation is whether Syria will be able to turn the page on the civil war, or whether it will teeter back into violence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025
If it can’t get payments from tenants quickly enough to cover its debt needs, the company’s business model could teeter.
From Barron's • Sep. 30, 2025
Until vaccination rates improve, we’ll teeter on the edge with this disease.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2025
These creatures teeter on the edge of life and death, and this was just the latest in a string of near-misses.
From BBC • Sep. 27, 2024
After a few minutes, Otto was able to uncurl his long toes and teeter to his feet.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.