waddled
/ˈwɒdəld/
VERB
1. Walked with short steps while swaying from side to side
Moved forward by taking short steps and tilting or swaying the body from one side to the other.
1.1. Walking with a characteristic side-to-side motion
Describes a person or animal walking with short, swaying steps, often with a rolling movement of the body.
Synonyms
Examples
- The ducklings waddled after their mother toward the pond.
- The penguin waddled across the icy ground.
- The toddler waddled excitedly toward his parents.
Related Words
1.2. Moving awkwardly or unsteadily
Describes moving with short, heavy, clumsy, or poorly coordinated steps, sometimes involving stumbling, lurching, or difficulty maintaining balance.
Synonyms
- staggered
- tottered
- shuffled
- lurched
- doddered
- reeled
- stumbled
- careened
- floundered
- blundered
- shambled
- galumphed
- lumbered
- clomped
- clumped
- wavered
- weaved
- scuffled
- teetered
- wobbled
- swagged
- tramped
- tromped
- stomped
- stamped
- scuffed
- pounded
- barged
- rolled
- lumped
Examples
- The elderly tortoise waddled slowly across the garden.
- The tired seal waddled back toward the water.
- The heavily dressed child waddled awkwardly through the snow.
Related Words
- hobble
- limp
- plod
- trudge
- toddle
- shuffle
- lurch
- stumble