teeter
UK: ˈtiːtə | US: ˈtiːtər
vi. to move or balance unsteadily; wobble
vi. to alternate between two states or options uncertainly
n. (rare) an act of teetering
The word "teeter" likely originates from an imitative or sound-symbolic root, mimicking the back-and-forth motion of unsteady movement. It shares a kinship with similar words like "totter" and "titter," all suggesting instability or oscillation. First recorded in the mid-19th century, it reflects a playful, almost onomatopoeic quality, capturing the essence of wavering or hesitation.
The toddler teetered on the edge of the sidewalk before stepping back.
The vase teetered on the table after the earthquake but didn’t fall.
His resolve teetered as he debated whether to quit his job.
The company’s profits teetered between growth and decline all year.
She watched the chair teeter on its uneven legs before collapsing.