stagger

verb stag·ger \ ˈsta-gər \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of stagger

staggered; staggering play \ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ\

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

—

staggerer

play \ˈsta-gər-ər\ noun

See stagger defined for English-language learners

See stagger defined for kids

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

After first investing in Apple in 2016, the iPhone maker is now the largest holding of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, which owns a staggering 250 million Apple shares, Buffett said Saturday.

— jen wieczner, Fortune, "Why Warren Buffett Loves Apple Stock," 7 May 2018
The increase in deaths from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl has been staggering: from 2013 to 2016, deaths involving these substances grew 84.2 percent each year, according an analysis of CDC data.

— katie zezima, chicagotribune.com, "Despite decline in prescriptions, opioid deaths skyrocketing due to heroin, synthetic drugs," 11 Apr. 2018
To many observers, these words would have been staggering.

— nick paton walsh, CNN, "The US gets more from its Mideast policy than Trump thinks," 4 Apr. 2018
Twelve mamuthones in two even rows representing each lunar cycle stagger forward in unison, their wooly bodies pulled to the ground by the weight of the bells.

— eliot stein, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Pagan Exorcism in Sardinia," 29 Mar. 2018
Mike D’Antoni is doing a great job of staggering Harden and Paul, and the role players are doing a great job of supporting their stars.

— rohan nadkarni, SI.com, "NBA Power Rankings: Cavs Plummet as Rumors Swirl," 23 Jan. 2018
In addition, Green’s presence would allow a coach to stagger Davis and Cousins, thereby capitalizing fully on their respective offensive abilities.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "Chris Webber Needs a Timeout: Draymond Green Would Start for Every NBA Team," 25 Apr. 2018
And, as with all things royal, the fascination over the newborn is already staggering.

— chris morris, Fortune, "Someone Could Make Pretty Good Money When the Royal Baby Is Named," 23 Apr. 2018
That said, the level of misconduct that the bank has already admitted to, and apologized for, again and again is staggering.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "Wells Fargo has been ripping off customers. Why do 76ers, Flyers play in a shrine named for the banking company? | Will Bunch," 22 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

stagger Synonyms

stagger

noun

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

See stagger defined for English-language learners

Examples of stagger in a Sentence

He walked with a slight stagger.

Recent Examples of stagger from the Web

His mother said the family is aware of the smattering of crass fans who use social media to badger college kids when expectations not of their own making stagger.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "It's Trey's time as Kell-led Aztecs fight into NCAA field," 13 Mar. 2018
Critics say his abandoning of the TPP was a colossal error; the countries that the Obama administration rallied behind the most ambitious trade deal in history stagger along without U.S. leadership.

— andrew browne, WSJ, "Trump’s New National-Security Policy: Paper Tiger or Hidden Dragon?," 19 Dec. 2017
As the Orioles stagger to the end of the season, there's speculation that manager Buck Showalter might shut down Bundy, who's now at a career-high 1692/3 innings.

— david ginsburg, courant.com, "Benintendi's 2-Run Single In 11th Lifts Red Sox Past Orioles," 19 Sep. 2017
A concerned Shaw watched Meyer, dazed and bleeding from scrapes, stagger to his feet.

— gary d'amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "D'Amato: Carl Meyer keeps swinging, and swinging, for veterans," 4 July 2017
The clumsy stagger-step between every action is a pain, but it’s basically all there is to Valkyria Revolution’s combat.

— steven strom, Ars Technica, "Valkyria Revolution trades in cult-classic status for wasted promise," 27 June 2017
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.

— tom withers, courant.com, "Bradley Hits Last-second Shot, Celtics Stun Cavs, 111-108," 21 May 2017
The Celtics didn't always use a stagger screen to elicit the switch.

— adi joseph, USA TODAY, "Wizards keep allowing Isaiah to torch Morris," 4 May 2017

First Known Use of stagger

1577

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

stagger

adjective

Definition of stagger

: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern

First Known Use of stagger

1918

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

STAGGER Defined for English Language Learners

stagger

verb

Definition of stagger for English Language Learners

: to move or cause (someone) to move unsteadily from side to side
: to shock or surprise (someone) very much
: to arrange (things) in a series of different positions or times

stagger

noun

Definition of stagger for English Language Learners

: an unsteady movement while walking or standing

STAGGER Defined for Kids

stagger

verb stag·ger \ ˈsta-gər \

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

stagger

noun

Definition of stagger for Students

: a reeling or unsteady walk

Learn More about stagger

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

What made you want to look up stagger? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

stagger

Definition of stagger

staggerer

Examples of stagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stagger from the Web

Origin and Etymology of stagger

stagger Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

stagger

Definition of stagger

Examples of stagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stagger from the Web

First Known Use of stagger

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

stagger

Definition of stagger

First Known Use of stagger

STAGGER Defined for English Language Learners

stagger

Definition of stagger for English Language Learners

stagger

Definition of stagger for English Language Learners

STAGGER Defined for Kids

stagger

Definition of stagger for Students

stagger

Definition of stagger for Students

Learn More about stagger

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word