1. unsteady and likely to fall or collapse
2. weak and close to failing or ending
Usage: often used figuratively

1. present participle of totter: moving unsteadily as if about to fall

Examples

• The old man was tottering down the hallway with his cane.
• The tottering government faced another crisis.
• She watched the tottering stack of books with concern.
• The toddler came tottering across the room to his mother.
• The tottering economy needed immediate intervention.
• The tottering fence finally collapsed in the storm.
• He was tottering on the edge of exhaustion.