STAGGER Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

stagger

verb

ˈsta-gər

Definition of stagger

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

Relevance

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stagger However, data from Agence France Tresor shows that the average maturity of French debt stands at roughly 8 years and 158 days, with debt redemptions relatively well staggered. — CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 The Florida Gators staggered into Texas on Saturday looking like a punch-drunk prizefighter who had spent the previous two weeks getting his teeth knocked out, his nose rearranged and his dignity dragged through the mud. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026 Employees worked 32 hours across four days, with days off staggered to preserve Monday-through-Friday coverage. — Joe Manok, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger

Verb

Her dancers contort and gyrate not only to music but to the mischievous natter of recorded dialogue, to the sound of wind and the hiss and lurch of a train.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
By the end of the lengthy, lurching first act, the entire eight-person cast is onstage.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

Anir has remained glued to the door, his left hand gripping the handle as if clinging to something solid might keep him from faltering.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026
When that reboot faltered, climaxing in a nightmarish season-14 finale, RHONY got another, softer reboot in the form of all but three cast members being fired.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of falter

Verb

Like a lot of us who tottered into consciousness in the second half of the 20th century, Les Claypool grew up with cartoons from the family television beaming into his retinas.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
Outside, a gull tottered to the window and tapped its beak against the glass.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of totter

Verb

Reevaluate your coverage options, then, in light of recent market developments and don't hesitate to reconsider your life insurance type, too, as your goals may have changed compared to when it was first secured.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
In an era when consumers don’t hesitate to post even hurtful comments, says Saunders, Cohen knows how to operate.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

The fantasy film about a woman (Olivia Colman) who weaves a perfect lover (Alexander Skarsgård) out of the titular material is one of the happy box office surprises of Q4 so far.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026
In the build-up, Almirón weaved through Toronto’s defense and played a give-and-go with Alexey Miranchuk, who assisted on the winger’s goal.

— Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

The last chance for the Mountaineers ended when Hawkins stumbled and fell in the end zone for a safety in the final two minutes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
For seven games, Myles Garrett could only watch the Rams from a stadium suite, on television or from the sideline as the team favored to win the Super Bowl stumbled to a slow start.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

The highest attrition occurred during the program's seven-week first phase — which includes Hell Week — where 66% of candidates were removed or rolled into another class.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
YouTube has launched Stations, letting creators run always-on channels for rolling longer-form content.

— Annie Corser, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of roll

Verb

Findings of no effect tend to either be shuffled off to low-profile journals or left behind as unpublished lab lore.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026
For the most part, this was a second consecutive solid performance by a group that will likely undergo major personnel shuffling all season.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Browse Nearby Words

stages

stagger

staggered

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of stagger

verb

Example Sentences

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