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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stagger
Major events such as Hamilton and an Issa Rae show were swiftly canceled, staff departures staggered departments and drained the organization of expertise, and ticket sales drastically declined.
—
Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The lone survivor of the half-hour killing spree, critically injured 49-year-old David Hernandez, staggered to a nearby street where police officers were trying to revive another Santos victim.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Three commissioners serve staggered six-year terms.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
Commissioners serve staggered six-year terms.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The lone survivor of the half-hour killing spree, critically injured 49-year-old David Hernandez, staggered to a nearby street where police officers were trying to revive another Santos victim.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Three commissioners serve staggered six-year terms.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
Commissioners serve staggered six-year terms.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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As the carriage lurched forward, the teen’s mother fell from the vehicle, prompting Romanch Mahajan to jump out in an effort to help her, The Times reported.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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As the opening ceremony began with a flurry of speeches, the bus carrying Team Zambia lurched to a stop by the side of the road in southern Zimbabwe, 200 miles away.—
Ryan Lenora Brown,
NPR,
14 June 2026
Verb
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When Johnson faltered, Clark had plenty of breathing room — and a quick turnaround.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Still up seven games in the NL East, the Braves (46-27) are in an offensive funk over the past week, and the team’s good starting pitching has faltered some.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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In an accompanying cartoon, Spark is caricatured as a sulking giant, tottering above the Tuscan countryside in a pair of high heels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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When asked which member of the family is the best soccer player, Theo didn't hesitate.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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When an agreement offers nothing to the Iranian people, why would the regime hesitate to intensify its crackdown?—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Father Joseph Balikuddembe, a young priest, weaves down the aisle for communion, depositing wafers on the nuns' lips.—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
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For once the story seems less about progress in the nuts and bolts of how the cars weave their way around road hazards.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Avila was crushed inside the Volkswagen, while Guevara allegedly stumbled to the Honda Accord, got inside, and drove off, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
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When asked who played at Arrowhead Stadium, Comenencia stumbled for the name.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Hail pelted several central Minnesota communities as storms rolled through on Friday afternoon and evening.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
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Basallo misjudged it, taking an unhurried shuffle up the line, before the ball glanced off his glove and rolled toward the Dodgers dugout.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Manager John Schneider is now forced to shuffle players like Andrés Gimenez and Ernie Clement at shortstop, often platooning Gimenez, and inserting lesser hitters at second base.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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After about 10 minutes of sitting frozen in place, the seven-year-old shuffled out of the room with his mother, sister and grandmother.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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