teetering
About to fall
Teetering describes something balanced precariously, wobbling as if about to fall.
A child teeters on the edge of a diving board.
Figuratively, situations teeter when they could go either way: The company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
The word suggests instability and imminent change—something that can't stay balanced much longer.
Moving unsteadily, wavering
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- rockingOscillating on curved base
- tiltingInclined from vertical
listing · leaning · off-balance · tippy · precarious · top-heavy · unstable · counterbalancing
Easily broken or damaged
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- diceyUncertain and hazardous
- touch-and-goUncertain and risky
risky · perilous · insecure · tenuous · delicate · hanging by a thread · unstable · endangered
Critical boundary point
threshold · rim · ledge · drop-off · abyss · chasm · borderline · razor's edge
Showing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- hesitatingPausing with doubt
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
undecided · torn · ambivalent · irresolute · uncertain · tentative · second-guessing · waffling
wobbling
Moving unsteadily, wavering
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- rockingOscillating on curved base
tilting · listing · leaning · off-balance · tippy · precarious · top-heavy · unstable · counterbalancing · overbalancing
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- diceyUncertain and hazardous
touch-and-go · risky · perilous · insecure · tenuous · delicate · hanging by a thread · unstable · endangered · threatened
brink
Critical boundary point
cusp · threshold · rim · ledge · drop-off · abyss · chasm · borderline · razor's edge · knife-edge
wavering
Showing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- hesitatingPausing with doubt
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
faltering · undecided · torn · ambivalent · irresolute · uncertain · tentative · second-guessing · waffling · oscillating
- balanceequilibrium, balancing, harmony, stability, symmetry
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
- instabilityinstability, unsteadiness, shakiness, wobbliness, precariousness
- Precariousnessprecarious, unstable, wobbly, wobbling, rickety
- Unsteady Motionshake, vibrate, vibration, tremor, oscillating
- kid activitiesplaying, running, jumping, climbing, swinging
teeteringstable
Secure and unchanging
secure · thriving · flourishing · on solid ground · settled
teeter, tottering, teeter-totter, teetered, teeters, tottered, totters