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 Shortly afterward, the man who died staggered back into view of the camera and collapsed. — Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Cue years of staggered, steadily worsening consequences, unboxed by Strippoli with gruesome relish. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026 As the deli’s surveillance video rolled, his client went from calmly standing at the counter with a bottle of Gatorade to staggering to the floor, clutching his leg and tearing at his pants. — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 Biden called for reforms, too, in his final year, recommending that the Court’s Justices be limited to eighteen-year terms, staggered so that Presidents could appoint one every two years. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger

Verb

Maybe this is what the Chargers are — lurching, sputtering and unable to consistently move the football, despite an offensive overhaul packed with lofty expectations.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of lurch

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

Montgomery hesitated in front of Lee before cutting inside to leave Lee one-on-one with a defender streaking toward the end zone.

— PJ Green September 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
More senior employees may dominate the conversation, while younger employees may hesitate to speak up.

— John Abusaid, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

Elaine unravels that mystery, weaving together the way insurance companies’ coverage decisions have shaped how these medicines are used.

— Amanda Erickson, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
Intricate leather weaves reinterpreted the brand’s classic bags and shoes, while denim, crystal embroidery and ostrich-effect materials added pizzazz to the lineup.

— Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

Before Quenneville arrived, the Ducks stumbled through a franchise-record seven straight losing seasons.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Early in the book, there’s a disturbing scene in which Cathy’s mother stumbles upon a half naked 10-year-old Cathy lying on the floor beneath two teenage boys.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

As the credits rolled and the movie theater lights came up, in the audience fell silent.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Then, the night ended with Jonquel Jones rolling her left ankle by stepping on a fan’s foot near the sideline following a three-point attempt in the third quarter of Wednesday’s 83-65 loss to the Atlanta Dream.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of roll

Verb

The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs — both gearing up for the playoffs during the final weekend of the regular Major League Baseball season — had to shuffle the schedule for their three-game series.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
The longtime headquarters of CBS News’s most hallowed properties—60 Minutes and Inside Edition—was recently hollowed out in a Paramount acquisition that saw personalities and producers shuffled to a center across the street.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Browse Nearby Words

stages

stagger

staggered

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Style

“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stagger

verb

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