tottering

[ tot-er-ing ]

adjective

1. walking unsteadily or shakily.
2. lacking security or stability; threatening to collapse; precarious:

   a tottering empire.

Other Words From

• totter·ing·ly adverb
• un·totter·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tottering¹

totter + -ing ²

Example Sentences

When Kamala Harris stepped in to replace the tottering Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket, there was no small amount of trepidation within her party.

From Los Angeles Times

Hope as a concept would not have worked for Biden, whose age and mental acuity were in question and who seemed to be tottering toward the election with little wind in his political sails.

From Los Angeles Times

The singer’s sweeping eyeliner, tottering heels and disheveled beehive are still instantly recognizable, 13 years after her death.

From New York Times

The singer’s sweeping eyeliner, tottering heels and disheveled beehive are still instantly recognizable, 13 years after her death.

From New York Times

That sent LeBron James to his earliest playoff exit ever and the Denver Nuggets tottering into Round 2 with a 108-106 win in Game 5 that featured 16 lead changes and 10 ties and was only secured when Taurean Prince’s halfcourt heave fell short as time expired.

From Seattle Times