Definition of stagger
staggered
;staggering
play \-g(ə-)riŋ\intransitive verb
1a : to reel from side to side : totterb : 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
From the M-W Editors
Examples of stagger in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of stagger from the Web
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Some of the victims, dazed and bloodied, staggered around the legislature’s gardens.
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The level of stupidity of the conspirators is staggering:
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The magnitude of these cuts and changes to Medicaid is staggering.
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The president’s success is staggering, and the positive optimism of his politics critical, especially at a moment when a struggling and bruised U.K. is entering Brexit negotiations.
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That said, some of the gains this year have been staggering.
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But after Guerra was staggered in the top of the first, the Padres failed to knock him from the game.
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Leon Andrew Razon comes around to staggering 150,966, give or take a direwolf.
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Vice Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy said that having the terms staggered is a good way to create continuity and will help newer members get up to speed with the issues while still having experienced members on the authority.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stagger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology 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
stagger
Definition of stagger
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
Examples of stagger in a Sentence
He walked with a slight stagger.
Recent Examples of stagger from the Web
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And now the Celtics stagger forward without their leading scorer and best playmaker into Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cavs, who throttled them twice in Boston and have won 13 straight postseason games.
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The Celtics didn't always use a stagger screen to elicit the switch.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stagger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of stagger
1577
stagger
Definition of stagger
: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern
First Known Use of stagger
1918
STAGGER Defined for English Language Learners
stagger
playDefinition of stagger for English Language Learners
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: to move or cause (someone) to move unsteadily from side to side
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: to shock or surprise (someone) very much
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: to arrange (things) in a series of different positions or times
stagger
Definition of stagger for English Language Learners
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: an unsteady movement while walking or standing
STAGGER Defined for Kids
Definition of stagger for Students
staggered
;staggering
1 : to move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side as if about to fall : reel He staggered under the load's weight.
2 : to cause or feel great surprise or shock The news staggered me.
3 : to arrange or be arranged in a zigzag but balanced way She stared at the dark brown and purple ridges staggered in the distance … — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising
Learn More about stagger
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See words that rhyme with stagger Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stagger Spanish Central: Translation of stagger Nglish: Translation of stagger for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stagger for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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