Synonyms of staggered

staggered 1 of 2

adjective

as in overwhelmed

Related Words

• overwhelmed
• bewildered
• stunned
• bemused
• stupefied
• surprised
• puzzled
• startled
• awed
• wondering
• astounded
• dumbfounded
• astonished
• awestruck
• amazed
• flabbergasted
• open-mouthed
• marveling

Dissimilar Words

• unimpressed
• disinterested
• indifferent
• unconcerned
• uninterested
• impassive
• dispassionate
• bored
• unemotional
• jaded
• incurious
• emotionless

staggered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stagger

1

as in lurched

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

• lurched
• weaved
• shuffled
• rolled
• reeled
• tottered
• stomped
• stumbled
• waddled
• rocked
• careened
• teetered
• doddered
• swayed
• wobbled
• wavered
• shambled
• clumped
• stamped
• blundered
• barged
• floundered
• swagged
• pounded
• lumped
• seesawed
• tramped
• scuffled
• lumbered
• scuffed
• clomped
• galumphed
• tromped

2

as in hesitated

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

• hesitated
• faltered
• vacillated
• dithered
• waited
• halted
• hung back
• balanced
• wobbled
• wavered
• paused
• scrupled
• debated
• teetered
• swayed
• delayed
• lingered
• hemmed
• shilly-shallied
• pondered
• dawdled
• hawed
• deliberated
• procrastinated
• backed down
• weighed
• oscillated
• waffled
• equivocated
• hedged
• chickened (out)
• considered
• dallied
• pussyfooted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decided
• plunged (in)
• continued
• stirred
• dived (in)
• advanced
• budged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of staggered

Adjective

Their ceremony was spare, with only a few urns filled with dusty pink and peach roses, while dinner featured loads of thin white candles set in bronzed candelabra at staggered heights. — Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

The measures, which are still in the early phases and subject to significant changes over the next few months, will be introduced via a staggered rollout period, according to the report. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Some buildings will close on a staggered two-year schedule as part of the Future Ready Facilities Plan. — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

However, the supplier said Apple is battling supply, testing and pricing issues which could mean a staggered rollout in countries outside of the US, such as in Australia, with larger markets like China next in line after the US. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 23 Aug. 2026

The staggered return of star names after the World Cup meant that captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alisson, Victor Munoz and Alexis Mac Allister weren’t involved in the tour of America. — James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Beyond noise and blanket fixes, couples with mismatched schedules can try staggered bedtimes and silent alarms. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Madden 27 is launching with staggered access, beginning August 6 for MVP+ members. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Use a 6-cup muffin tin in a staggered pattern for better air circulation and domed tops; cool muffins upside down. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

In recent years, the NFL experimented with Monday night doubleheaders, some of which were staggered apart while others aired concurrently. — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Cue years of staggered, steadily worsening consequences, unboxed by Strippoli with gruesome relish. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 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

Shore excursions leave on time, dining reservations are staggered throughout the evening, and all-aboard times aren’t suggestions. — Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026

Terms last five years and are staggered so that one Commissioner's term ends on June 5 of each year. — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

The musician Neil Gust, Elliott’s close friend for years, remembers being staggered by it. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

The funding document stated that the funding would be staggered and tied to different stages of the project, such as the official announcement of filming in Madrid, the start of shooting, and that Madrid had to appear in the film’s title. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Another argument favors sacrificing the long summer break for more frequent shorter breaks staggered throughout the school year. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026