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
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Recent Examples of stagger
Most individual cicadas live for just a few weeks, but, since the emergence itself happens over a two-week period, their eventual fading will also be staggered.
—
Taylor Johnston, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
Some implementation of the law was staggered to give industries, including nail technicians, time to adapt.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Taylor Johnston, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
Some implementation of the law was staggered to give industries, including nail technicians, time to adapt.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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On June 18th, the Karen Read saga finally lurched to its inevitable end, when a Norfolk County jury, assigned the unenviable task of spending spring and early summer watching corruption theater in Dedham court, acquitted Ms. Read of all the serious charges against her.—
Tom Blakely,
Boston Herald,
27 June 2025
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More to come on this one as the American media M&A space makes another lurch forwards.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Here are a few more takeaways from Monday’s game: Michael Wacha falters late Wacha had trouble navigating the Mariners’ lineup.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2025
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When corporate processes eclipse the culture, ventures almost inevitably falter.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
1 July 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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Don’t hesitate to end partnerships with contractors who aren’t aligned with your vision or delivering results.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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In this way, the ellipsoid would change shape in jerky, hesitating motions, gradually exploring the space around it.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
7 July 2025
Verb
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For more info: CBS News GAMES: Candy Land, the game that still hits a sweet spot For the last 75 years, generations have taken turns weaving through a rainbow road, surrounded by all things candy.—
David Morgan
July 11,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
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The students left a large social media footprint behind and videos of their shenanigans are woven into the series.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Hegseth, a former Fox TV host who has stumbled through several controversies during his six months in office, sat silently next to Trump without volunteering any information about the decision that apparently came on his watch.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
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Designed specifically for those who wish to explore the shops, restaurants and cultural experiences of the district, The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza is within stumbling distance of every hot spot.—
Terry Elward,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Sweden, which also became a NATO member after Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, reinstituted conscription in 2017.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
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In the rugged, rolling terrain it’s known for, heavy rains collect quickly in its shallow streams and rivers that can burst into torrents like the deadly flood wave that swept along the Guadalupe River on July 4.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Prosecutors alleged Kelsey illegally shuffled money from his state senate campaigin committee to his federal campaign.—
Melissa Brown,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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Each of these had a variable number of lithium atoms at each of the corners of these structures, and molecular simulations showed that lithium ions could readily move between these locations, allowing the material to shuffle ions around rapidly.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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