stagger

¹stag·ger

verb \ˈsta-gər\

stag·geredstag·ger·ing\-g(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of STAGGER

intransitive verb

1

a : to reel from side to side : totter b : to move on unsteadily <staggered toward the door>

2

: to waver in purpose or action : hesitate

3

: to rock violently <the ship staggered>

transitive verb

1

: to cause to doubt or hesitate : perplex

2

: to cause to reel or totter

3

: to arrange in any of various zigzags, alternations, or overlappings of position or time <stagger work shifts> <stagger teeth on a cutter>

— stag·ger·er \-gər-ər\ noun

Examples of STAGGER

1. She staggered over to the sofa.
2. A hard slap on the back staggered him.
3. It staggers me to see how much money they've spent on this project.
4. They staggered the runners' starting positions.

Origin of STAGGER

alteration of earlier stacker, from Middle English stakeren, from Old Norse stakra, frequentative of staka to push; perhaps akin to Old English staca stake — more at stake

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to STAGGER

Synonyms: careen, dodder, lurch, reel, teeter, totter, waddle

Antonyms: dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words: rock, roll, seesaw, swag, sway, waver, weave, wobble (also wabble); barge, blunder, clomp, clump, flounder, galumph, lumber, lump, pound, scuff, scuffle, shamble, shuffle, stamp, stomp, stumble, tramp, tromp

Near Antonyms: decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with STAGGER

bagger, bragger, dagger, dragger, gagger, jagger, lagger, nagger, sagger, swagger, wagger