staggering

adjective

stag·​ger·​ing ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce staggering (audio)
: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming
a staggering feat
staggering medical bills
staggeringly adverb

Examples of staggering in a Sentence

The storm caused a staggering amount of damage. the staggering scope of the new construction on campus
Recent Examples on the Web Considering the turmoil of Paul’s short reign (he was assassinated by his own officers in 1801) and the wealth the princess had accumulated from her various properties and positions, this was hardly a staggering punishment. E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 But along with that staggering potential comes the possibility of AIs being unpredictable, offensive, even dangerous. François Candelon, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 There are portions that could have been trimmed or cut entirely, but Gorka Gómez Andreu’s staggering cinematography is worth savoring. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 This is both a staggering feat for Swift and testament to how much higher volume vinyl is now versus a decade ago. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024 Homeowners see sizable hikes three years in a row The hit to Michigan property tax bills has been staggering in recent years. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Homelessness statistics in California have risen a staggering 20% since Newsom took office in 2019, to more than 180,000 people — 68% of them on the streets and not in shelters. Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 1 Mar. 2024 In January, a Philadelphia jury ordered Bayer to pay a staggering $2.3 billion in a lawsuit filed by a man diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that targets white blood cells, after using Roundup for two decades. Randall Chase, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2024 First off, Ohtani’s staggering contract deferral doesn’t happen without his willingness to do so. Maury Brown, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'staggering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of staggering was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near staggering

Cite this Entry

“Staggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staggering. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

staggering

adjective
stag·​ger·​ing
: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming
a staggering achievement
staggering medical bills
staggeringly
ˈstag-(ə-)riŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on staggering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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