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
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
The city decided to impose it after seeing positive results already from a yearlong experiment to stagger and limit the number of visitors who can reach the front basin edge of the fountain by imposing lines and an entrance and exit pathway.
—CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Board members will generally serve four-year terms, but the inaugural board will include some two-year appointments so that terms are staggered.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Our on/off relationship with Carrie Bradshaw finally staggered off its Peloton, though the image of Aidan jerking off in his truck left us feeling as tarnished as a White Lotus blender.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
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
Typically, remains were exposed prior to cremation, and individual burials were staggered over time.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
The city decided to impose it after seeing positive results already from a yearlong experiment to stagger and limit the number of visitors who can reach the front basin edge of the fountain by imposing lines and an entrance and exit pathway.
—CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Board members will generally serve four-year terms, but the inaugural board will include some two-year appointments so that terms are staggered.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Our on/off relationship with Carrie Bradshaw finally staggered off its Peloton, though the image of Aidan jerking off in his truck left us feeling as tarnished as a White Lotus blender.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Dec. 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 30 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share