teeter

[US]/ˈtiːtə(r)/
[UK]/ˈtiːtər/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

vi. to stand or move unsteadily by rocking back and forth
n. a staggering movement; a swaying motion; a seesaw.

Example Sentences

The country is teetering on the brink of civil war.

the economy was teetering on the edge of recession.

teetering on the edge of the abyss of a total political wipeout.

she teetered between tears and anger.

She teetered along in her heels.

she teetered after him in her high-heeled sandals.

Real-world Examples

Germany is teetering on the edge of recession.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

These apartment buildings are teetering on the verge of disaster.

Source: VOA Standard English_Americas

On an apple bough, the phoebe teeters and wags its tail and says, Phoebe, phoe-bee!

Source: Charlotte's Web

Principle number two is that a good book should teeter on the edge of what you do and don't know.

Source: Tales of Imagination and Creativity

It was a terrifying moment, and a glimpse of the abyss that Crimea now teeters over.

Source: BBC Listening Compilation March 2014

A fall would mean certain death, but teetering in tree-tops is second nature to the Korowai.

Source: Human Planet

The economy, teetering on the verge of collapse, depends on foreign aid that is linked to reforms.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

For one teetering second, while the crashes and booms of the battle filled the air, Harry hesitated.

Source: 7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Just eight years ago, as I prepared to take office, our economy teetered on the brink of depression.

Source: Obama's weekly television address.

Cape Town was, quite literally teetering on the brink of a water apocalypse and a mass exodus of refugees.

Source: Realm of Legends

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