tottered
Walked quite unsteadily
Tottered is the past tense of totter, meaning to walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
It suggests weakness, age, or loss of balance: She tottered on her high heels, The old man tottered to the door.
Things can also totter figuratively: The regime tottered on the brink of collapse.
Shocked or unevenly spaced
- wobbledMoved with instability
- stumbledLost balance while walking
- lurchedMoved with sudden unsteadiness
- swayedMoved or persuaded
reeled · shuffled · shambled · faltered · weaved · hobbled · teetered · wavered
Prone to sudden change
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- insecureLacking self-assurance
fragile · vulnerable · tenuous · delicate · perilous · hazardous · risky · treacherous
Advanced in years
decrepit · enfeebled · weakened · unsteady · cane · walker · shuffling · arthritic
Child learning to walk
- babyVery young child
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- nurseryRoom for infants
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
wobbly · standing · cruising · falling · tentative · uncertain
System of governance
- empireDomain under unified control
- economySystem of trade and production
- governmentAuthority over a state
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
dynasty · coalition · alliance · foundation · structure · system · order · establishment
staggered
Shocked or unevenly spaced
- wobbledMoved with instability
- stumbledLost balance while walking
- lurchedMoved with sudden unsteadiness
swayed · reeled · shuffled · shambled · faltered · weaved · hobbled · teetered · wavered · unsteadily
unstable
Prone to sudden change
insecure · fragile · vulnerable · tenuous · delicate · perilous · hazardous · risky · treacherous · uncertain
aged
Advanced in years
doddering · decrepit · enfeebled · weakened · unsteady · cane · walker · shuffling · arthritic · faltering
toddler
Child learning to walk
unsteady · wobbly · standing · cruising · falling · tentative · uncertain
regime
System of governance
- empireDomain under unified control
- economySystem of trade and production
- governmentAuthority over a state
institution · dynasty · coalition · alliance · foundation · structure · system · order · establishment · edifice
- teeter totterPivoting playground board