1
as in to lurch
to move forward while swaying from side to side
I was so tired last night that I just staggered upstairs to bed without eating dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to falter
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
a daunting problem that would make even the most decisive person stagger just a bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stagger
The question staggers the mind, and can be answered by Montgomery and Fairfax counties.
—
John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
More than 80 tornadoes had been confirmed as of Monday morning, with areas of Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Virginia − where two deaths were reported − staggered by some of the worst damage, AccuWeather said.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Brown, his Superman strength sapped, mustered only five points in the second quarter, as Boston staggered to just 38 points as a team.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
The rollout has taken a long time, and it’s been staggered across different models.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
More than 80 tornadoes had been confirmed as of Monday morning, with areas of Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Virginia − where two deaths were reported − staggered by some of the worst damage, AccuWeather said.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Brown, his Superman strength sapped, mustered only five points in the second quarter, as Boston staggered to just 38 points as a team.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
The rollout has taken a long time, and it’s been staggered across different models.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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The world is lurching toward autocracy, with alarming speed.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
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In the final moments, Molly lurches forward into this brave new world, with nothing but the overalls on her back and her best friend who can barely start her car.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
Verb
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And then, if the team falters, dumping before the Aug. 31 deadline for players to be eligible for postseason rosters?—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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Even high-performing teams can falter under the burden of shifting priorities and misaligned goals.—
Rahul Karan Sharma,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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As Joe Biden tottered and fell (literally as well as metaphorically), more than a few pundits compared him to Lear, a man who was ruined by age, pride, and the flattery of sycophants.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
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Dina Tomczak, the school’s athletic director, tottered into her office having barely slept.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) hesitated to affirm his support for Schumer’s continued leadership.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
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As good as the night was against an A’s team that has now lost 22 of 26 games, Soriano hesitated to call it his best.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
11 June 2025
Verb
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The parade weaves through the historic downtown, bringing together antique cars, floats, and locals looking to show off their red, white, and blue.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
18 June 2025
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Ah Loo’s vibrant work weaves traditional Pacific Island attire with modern silhouettes and design.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Scott made the turn at even-par but a bogey-bogey-double bogey stumble from holes Nos. 14-16 ended his tournament.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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Then in 2022, with escalating inflation and consumer pressure, the stock stumbled again with a 63% drop.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Tanks will roll, helicopters will roar overhead, and fireworks will light up the night sky.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
12 June 2025
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Left unsaid: With the way the Mets’ rotation is rolling, what’s the rush?—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Nicolo Barella would often drop between Stefan de Vrij and right centre-back Matteo Darmian or pull wide outside of Urawa’s defensive block to kickstart Inter’s possession, meaning the Japanese side were comfortable shuffling from side to side with the game in front of them.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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The latest major example of this reliable horror subgenre shuffling (or in this case running) into theaters is 28 Years Later.—
James Grebey,
Time,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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