staggering

adjective

stag·​ger·​ing ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ 

: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming

a staggering feat

staggering medical bills

staggeringly adverb

Synonyms of staggering

• astonishing
• amazing
• surprising
• wonderful
• miraculous
• incredible
• stunning
• sublime

Examples of staggering in a Sentence

The storm caused a staggering amount of damage.

the staggering scope of the new construction on campus

Recent Examples on the Web

There are heavy questions to consider because the Phillies enter the fifth week of the season with a 9-19 record, having been outscored by a staggering 54 runs. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026

DiVincenzo’s non-contact injury was already staggering enough. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026

The jersey Gretzky wore during Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final just sold for a staggering $2,806,000, setting a new all-time record for a hockey jersey. —Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026

Tom Steyer has poured more than $100 million into California’s governor’s race — a staggering sum that’s helping vault him into the top tier after months of lagging in the polls. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for staggering

• swaggering

Kids Definition

staggering

adjective

stag·​ger·​ing

: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming

a staggering achievement

staggering medical bills

staggeringly

ˈstag-(ə-)riŋ-lē

adverb