staggered; staggering
ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ 
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
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
1
staggers plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by incoordination and a reeling unsteady gait
2
: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance
3
: an arrangement in which the leading edge of the upper wing of a biplane is advanced over that of the lower
: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern
Examples of stagger in a Sentence
Verb
She staggered over to the sofa.
A hard slap on the back staggered him.
It staggers me to see how much money they've spent on this project.
They staggered the runners' starting positions.
Noun
He walked with a slight stagger.
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 4 July 2025
The victim staggered up to the mezzanine before collapsing at a turnstile, according to an MTA worker.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025
On Wednesday, daytime highs will stagger into the high 30s, with chances for inclement weather in the evening.
—Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The water utility was created under the Denver charter but operates as an independent agency, with its board members appointed to staggered terms by the mayor.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
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Verb
According to the terms of the proposal, the release of the 10 living hostages and 15 bodies will be staggered over the 60-day period the temporary ceasefire is in effect.
—ABC News, 4 July 2025
The victim staggered up to the mezzanine before collapsing at a turnstile, according to an MTA worker.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025
On Wednesday, daytime highs will stagger into the high 30s, with chances for inclement weather in the evening.
—Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The water utility was created under the Denver charter but operates as an independent agency, with its board members appointed to staggered terms by the mayor.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagger. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stagger
1 of 2 verb
stag·ger
ˈstag-ər
staggered; staggering
-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side as if about to fall
2
a
: to begin to doubt and waver : become less confident
b
: to cause to doubt, waver, or hesitate : overwhelm
were staggered by the problems they had to face
3
: to place or arrange in a zigzag or alternate but regular way
stagger
2 of 2 noun1
plural
: an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by unsteady movements and falling
2
: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance
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