toddling

verb

present participle of toddle
as in stumbling

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toddling
  1. stumbling
  2. tottering
  3. floundering
  4. lurching
  5. shaking
  6. rocking
  7. wavering
  8. faltering
Verb
  • Unlike every other film genre, the history of horror, at least since the 1950s, is a story of amateurs stumbling in the dark.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of stumbling like the Phillies and Cubs, the Padres surged and took with them the #1 Wild Card spot, earning the right to host this series.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of stumbling
Verb
  • In an accompanying cartoon, Spark is caricatured as a sulking giant, tottering above the Tuscan countryside in a pair of high heels.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Definition of tottering
Verb
  • The unrest has fired the starting gun on what promises to be a vicious race between the far right and far left for the presidency, with much of the center floundering in the polls.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Angels, floundering toward another last-place finish, fired Minasian in June.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of floundering
Verb
  • Maybe this is what the Chargers are — lurching, sputtering and unable to consistently move the football, despite an offensive overhaul packed with lofty expectations.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of lurching
Verb
  • The brawl began when the players were shaking hands, just after Grayson defeated Carol City 10-9.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The hallmark signs include shaking or tremors, stiffness, slower movements and difficulty with balance or walking.
    — Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shaking
Verb
  • Not far from Casares, one of the classic pueblos blancos of Andalucia, and a million miles from the flash of the Costa del Sol, arriving at Finca Cortesin is akin to rocking up at the home of a Spanish countess.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The second, Stillpoint, aims to release and restore calm with a deep oil-free massage, along with rocking compressions, assisted stretches, and Kansa wand techniques.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of rocking
Verb
  • But Brent resumed climbing as conflict persisted, topping $100 per barrel again in July before wavering and then hitting that mark again late Tuesday.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Emerging markets such as India, which entered the top 20 markets two years ago and now ranks 15th for Swiss watch exports by size, and Mexico are also contributing to a lessening of the dependency on wavering top markets, in particular China.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of wavering
Verb
  • There were early indicators that both programs and public engagement were faltering under the board’s new leadership.
    — E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The grandees of Gullen have set their hopes on Claire’s bankrolling their faltering community’s recovery.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of faltering
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

toddles
toddling
to death
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toddling. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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