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
Their deployments were staggered over about 15 minutes, with each satellite relying on its own timed separation mechanism.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 May 2025
Perhaps the gorilla has a chance if its opponents were staggered, in a series of one-on-one battles until one of the men defeats the great ape.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Lay it in a brick-like fashion so the ends of the rectangular pieces are staggered across the lawn.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
The Lakers’ 94-85 Game 2 victory featured a fourth quarter in which both teams staggered and stumbled to the finish line.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 May 2025
Perhaps the gorilla has a chance if its opponents were staggered, in a series of one-on-one battles until one of the men defeats the great ape.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Lay it in a brick-like fashion so the ends of the rectangular pieces are staggered across the lawn.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
The Lakers’ 94-85 Game 2 victory featured a fourth quarter in which both teams staggered and stumbled to the finish line.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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And now that governments in many rich countries have sharply lurched to the right and taken more skeptical stances on aid, this industry is collapsing.—
Zainab Usman,
Foreign Affairs,
5 May 2025
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German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was one of the first European leaders to grasp the long-term implications of the American lurch toward authoritarianism.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With federal support faltering, your role has never been more critical.—
Randy Colman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2025
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The effort comes as progress on crypto legislation has faltered.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
14 May 2025
Verb
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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
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The nation is tottering on the edge of dictatorship.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And Brinkley didn’t hesitate to share her diet regimen.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
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Ask Questions And Remain Curious For early-career entrants, the entire process is new, including securing an internship, so don't hesitate to ask questions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
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The terror weaves across decades and across the globe, but the threads themselves loop back on themselves over and over again.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
13 May 2025
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McIlroy’s family history is woven into Northern Ireland’s past, which is marked by conflict, resilience and pride.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Still, many times, most seasoned and skilled leaders stumble from time to time.—
Phil Portman,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Meanwhile, the only truly happy artist in Ira’s friend group — played to uproarious perfection by Stanley Tucci — isn’t even much of an artist at all but a shameless name-dropper who seems to stumble into constant success without even trying.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Get The Recipe Cinnamon Roll Casserole This sweet breakfast casserole is every bit as indulgent as the cinnamon rolls Grandma would make from scratch—only easier.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
2 May 2025
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But on social media at least, dancing at an airport has become the travel trend du jour, with travelers across the world spinning through baggage claim, whirling through terminals and rolling through airport gates, garnering millions of online views in the process.—
Francesca Street,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Bemused tourists attempt to shuffle through the acrid red and blue flare smoke.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Deep in the bowels of State Farm Stadium, Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson and a group of his players shuffled into a concrete-walled space that had been converted into a makeshift press conference room.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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