tottering

USAGE SUMMARY

'tottering' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means unsteady, swaying, or off-balance, and it has a slightly humorous connotation. For example, you could say: "The young child walked down the street, tottering unsteadily on her wobbly toddling legs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A mounting recession and unemployment also took their toll, but with Labour still tottering in power, many union leaders did not want to recognise that they were in for a rude awakenning.

The Guardian

He began his work as assistant general secretary in the early months of 1974 when the Heath government was tottering under the pressures of a miners' strike, the oil crisis and economic turbulence.

The Guardian

Even Hollywood is tottering, as film and TV producers are lured away by tax bribes in other states.Back to basicsIt was against this backdrop that Eric Garcetti (pictured), the mayor of Los Angeles, delivered his first state-of-the-city address on April 10th and, four days later, his first budget proposal, worth $8.1 billion.

The Economist

His veteran centre-right rivals are tottering and the young guns are inspiring half-hearted grunts of support at best.

The Economist

Transnet already has stakes in more than 20 other countries, mostly through rail subsidiaries or in management deals in Africa, and is likely to spread much further across the continent.In this section More balls through Windows Burger and fries à la française A farewell to ads? Creaming it Ringing the changes Petro folly A better option Getting Africa moving ReprintsBut the giant is tottering.

The Economist

The euro zone is tottering, America's deficit is alarming and inflation is looming, they reckon.

The Economist

As we reported in the newspaper this past week, the Social Security disability insurance system is tottering.

The Economist

Unlike stricken banks, building societies generally get less than 30% of their funding from this source, and less still since banks started tottering.

The Economist

INDIAN bicycles carry some extraordinary loads bulging bags of rice, heavy sacks of coal, tottering stacks of newspapers.

The Economist

First, investors are worried by the vicious spiral of a weakening economy, tottering banks and worsening government finances.

The Economist

Mr Yanukovich fares little better, at around 20%, but if the rules are "winner takes all, loser goes to jail," perhaps he doesn't want to take any chances.Most alarmingly for the president, his popularity is tottering even in his heartland.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tottering" when you want to convey a sense of near-collapse or instability, adding a touch of drama or humor to the situation.

Common error

While "tottering" can be vivid, avoid using it excessively in formal or business writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "unstable" or "precarious" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "tottering" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying nouns to indicate instability or the state of being on the verge of collapse. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid English word. Examples in Ludwig show its usage with both concrete objects and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tottering" is an adjective used to describe something that is unstable or on the verge of collapse, applicable to both physical objects and abstract concepts. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a neutral tone suitable for general writing, though potentially less so for highly formal or scientific contexts unless used deliberately for effect. Consider synonyms like "unsteady" or "precarious" for alternative phrasing. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight the word's versatility and effectiveness in conveying a sense of impending instability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsteady

Emphasizes a lack of stability; a direct synonym for physical or metaphorical imbalance.

precarious

Highlights the risk and uncertainty associated with the situation.

shaky

Suggests a vibrational instability or a lack of solid foundation.

wobbly

Implies a side-to-side movement and instability, like something about to fall.

faltering

Suggests a loss of strength or momentum; a weakening state.

teetering

Similar to tottering, but with an emphasis on balancing on the edge of something.

crumbling

Indicates a breakdown or disintegration over time.

on the brink

Emphasizes being close to a critical or dangerous situation.

in jeopardy

Highlights the state of being at risk or in danger.

on its last legs

An idiom suggesting something is nearing the end of its usefulness or existence.

FAQs

How can I use "tottering" in a sentence?

You can use "tottering" to describe something unsteady or on the verge of collapse, such as, "The "tottering economy"" or "a "tottering stack of books"".

What words can I use instead of "tottering"?

Alternatives to "tottering" include "unsteady", "precarious", or "faltering", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "tottering" to describe an abstract concept?

Yes, "tottering" can be used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts like a "tottering government" or a "tottering reputation", suggesting they are unstable or in danger of failing.

What's the difference between "tottering" and "teetering"?

"Tottering" implies a general instability and unsteadiness, while "teetering" specifically suggests being on the verge of falling, like balancing precariously on an edge. They are similar, but "teetering" is more focused on the act of almost falling.