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
Relevance
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stagger
The planet staggered toward the most dangerous greenhouse in the fossil record.
—
Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Toronto has occupied the top spot in the AL East since July 2 but staggered a bit in August, its worst month, with a 15-12 record.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The riders who stagger off of Stardust Racers have wide, shaky smiles.
—Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions boarded offshore rights on the A24 original out of the 2024 European Film Market in Berlin, and staggered overseas release from June through September this summer, cranking out strong numbers and holds along the way.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Toronto has occupied the top spot in the AL East since July 2 but staggered a bit in August, its worst month, with a 15-12 record.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The riders who stagger off of Stardust Racers have wide, shaky smiles.
—Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions boarded offshore rights on the A24 original out of the 2024 European Film Market in Berlin, and staggered overseas release from June through September this summer, cranking out strong numbers and holds along the way.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
-
On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Despite that notable change, watching One Battle After Another is much like the experience of reading Pynchon, who lurches from high comedy to stomach-turning naturalism and punctuates plot-heavy sequences with little grace notes of character portraiture.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Max Verstappen's victories in the last two Grands Prix have brought him back into the championship fight, although the 69-point gap to Piastri can only be achieved if McLaren falters on every race weekend.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Years later, Rick Ankiel, a Cardinals pitcher, could no longer throw strikes—yet, when he was moved to the outfield, his accuracy rarely faltered from a greater distance.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Dina Tomczak, the school’s athletic director, tottered into her office having barely slept.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
The Bears quarterback didn't hesitate to offer some self-criticism in his postgame remarks either.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Look for Maker’s Marks While at the thrift store, don’t hesitate to turn an item over to inspect it further.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Woods weave through saffron, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, and an incense-like haze, while a touch of papyrus adds an earthy edge.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
23 Sep. 2025
-
From there, production cycles and Musical Theatre tracks invite students to weave together singing, acting, and movement in dynamic public performances.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After a rocky start, Joey stumbles on some talents and goes to great lengths to impress Leonard in his audition for a play.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Sep. 2025
-
One of them had stumbled upon Sleep Token at a music festival a few years ago and had been hooked on the band’s teachings ever since, while the other had flown to New York from rural Texas just to be at the evening’s show.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This behavior contributes to rolling traffic jams, an inefficient pattern compared to maintaining a steady pace, Guter pointed out.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Dobbins did a little better than that to start the second half, rolling for 41 yards on the first play of the third quarter, and then taking care of the final 25 yards on the next two plays, too.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Companies react with token fixes, making small austerity cuts, shuffling around leadership, and rebranding business units.—
Daniel Schmeltz,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
One member of the group, Joel Wenhardt, from Southern California, shuffled to the piano and flopped down on the bench.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share