wobbly
Apt to topple over
Wobbly describes something that moves unsteadily from side to side, lacking stability or firmness.
A wobbly table rocks on uneven legs; a wobbly toddler hasn't quite mastered walking.
The word extends to anything uncertain or unreliable: a wobbly economy, a wobbly argument, or feeling wobbly after standing up too fast.
In British slang, to throw a wobbly means to have an emotional outburst or tantrum.
Prone to sudden change
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- totteringMoving unsteadily, nearly falling
teetering · off-balance · precarious · tippy · rocking · swaying · loose · unsecured
Lacking balance or stability
- dizzySensation of spinning
- lightheadedFaint and unsteady feeling
- faintWeak and indistinct
- weak-kneedLacking resolve or courage
shaky · trembling · staggering · stumbling · reeling · groggy · woozy · disoriented
Shaking in tone
- tremulousShaky from fear
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
unsteady · cracking · breaking · trembling · quivering · weak · thin · reedy
Uncertain and provisional
- hesitantSlow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
doubtful · unsure · unreliable · inconsistent · erratic · unpredictable · iffy · shaky
Swinging back and forth
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- rockingOscillating on curved base
- jigglingShaking with light, rapid motion
- wigglingMoving with small twists
bobbling · quivering · trembling · vibrating · juddering · lurching · undulating · teetering
Disturb, topple, or shock
- distressedSuffering emotional turmoil
- shakenDisturbed or agitated
- rattledDisturbed and unsettled
- unnervedMade anxious or unsettled
agitated · overwrought · fragile · vulnerable · tearful · weepy · distraught · unsettled
unstable
Prone to sudden change
tottering · teetering · off-balance · precarious · tippy · rocking · swaying · loose · unsecured · ramshackle
unsteady
Lacking balance or stability
- dizzySensation of spinning
- lightheadedFaint and unsteady feeling
- faintWeak and indistinct
weak-kneed · shaky · trembling · staggering · stumbling · reeling · groggy · woozy · disoriented · off-balance
quavering
Shaking in tone
wavering · unsteady · cracking · breaking · trembling · quivering · weak · thin · reedy · strained
tentative
Uncertain and provisional
- hesitantSlow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
indecisive · doubtful · unsure · unreliable · inconsistent · erratic · unpredictable · iffy · shaky · precarious
oscillating
Swinging back and forth
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- rockingOscillating on curved base
- jigglingShaking with light, rapid motion
wiggling · bobbling · quivering · trembling · vibrating · juddering · lurching · undulating · teetering · tottering
upset
Disturb, topple, or shock
- distressedSuffering emotional turmoil
- shakenDisturbed or agitated
- rattledDisturbed and unsettled
unnerved · agitated · overwrought · fragile · vulnerable · tearful · weepy · distraught · unsettled · anxious
- cartoon traitsrubbery, goofy, bug-eyed, slapstick, zany
- clumsyclumsy, awkward, bumbling, bungling, fumbling
- instabilityinstability, unsteadiness, shakiness, precariousness, imbalance
- Precariousnessprecarious, unstable, teetering, tottering, rickety
- stabilitystable, steady, firmness, unstable, equilibrium
- weakweak, feeble, frail, fragile, faint
wobblysteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
stable · sure-footed · balanced · surefooted · controlled
wobblyresolute
Fixed in purpose
steadfast · firm · unwavering · determined · steady
- wobbly knees
- wobbly legsUnstable lower supports
- wobbly bits
- wobble boardTilting fitness platform
- death wobbleDangerous steering oscillation
- Chandler wobbleEarth's axial deviation cycle
wobble, wobbling, wobbled, wobbles, wobbliness, wobbler, wobbliest, wobblier