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tottering

tottering

2 7.5
Unstable and likely to fall or fail soon
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɑːtərɪŋ/
: inestable
  • The old bridge was in a tottering condition, making it dangerous to cross.

He did more than prop up a tottering empire.

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Examples

  • He did more than prop up a tottering empire.

  • Loathsomeness waits and dreams in the deep, and decay spreads over the tottering cities of man.

  • Many people were concerned about the tottering government after years of economic failure.

  • Reports indicated that the tottering school system needed immediate reform to avoid collapse.

Synonyms

unstable
vstottering
128 4.4

Not steady and likely to change, fail, or fall

is about immediate collapse or being near total failure
shaky
vstottering
71 3.3

Not firm or safe and likely to fail

is closer to collapse or complete failure
precarious
vstottering
46 7.6

In a dangerous, unstable position likely to fall or fail

is used especially for structures or institutions and near failure
wobbly
vstottering
33 3.6

Unsteady and likely to move from side to side

is about instability that leads to collapse rather than mere shaking
toty
vstottering
  • UK
9.9

Shaky and likely to fall over when you touch it

is about being unstable to the point of collapse

Antonyms

467 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

How Stable

secure
443 3.2
stable
467 2.3
shaky
71 3.3
precarious
46 7.6
tottering
2 7.5

Surface Forms

tottering positive

Morphology

tottering = totter (semi-transparent) = totter + ing

The adjective is formed from 'totter' but is used metaphorically for structures or institutions, making the meaning a figurative extension.

Etymology

Tottering can also describe buildings or groups that look like they might fall; picture a leaning stack or a teeter-totter tipping, which gives the sense of 'ready to fall'. So when a government or bridge is tottering, it means it is unstable and likely to collapse.