wanken
Translation
to stagger, to totter, to waver, to falter
Examples
Der Betrunkene wankte die Straße entlang.
The drunkard staggered along the street.
Der alte Turm wankt im Sturm.
The old tower sways in the storm.
Sein Entschluss begann zu wanken.
His resolve began to waver.
Grammar Patterns
(( )) to stagger, to sway The old tower wankt in the storm.
Similar Words
Synonyms: schwanken, torkeln, taumeln; Antonyms: stehen, festbleiben
Etymology
From Old High German 'wankōn' (to sway), related to 'winken' (to wave/beckon).
Memory Tips
Imagine someone's resolve 'waning' and 'sinking' (sounds like wanken), causing them to waver.