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
a
: to cause to doubt or hesitate : perplex
b
: shock or surprise greatly
The amount of money they've spent on this staggers me.
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
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
Plus, the Herro and Powell minutes likely will continue to be as staggered as when one started and one played in reserve, with Herro subbed out midway through Wednesday night’s first quarter.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
He looks staggered at first, then disgusted, and, finally, proud.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
The seasons are staggered between zones to capture the hunting opportunity from migration, with the South Zone ending latest.
—Matt Wyatt, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Hunt times are staggered according to age groups.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
Plus, the Herro and Powell minutes likely will continue to be as staggered as when one started and one played in reserve, with Herro subbed out midway through Wednesday night’s first quarter.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
He looks staggered at first, then disgusted, and, finally, proud.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
The seasons are staggered between zones to capture the hunting opportunity from migration, with the South Zone ending latest.
—Matt Wyatt, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagger. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
