as in overwhelmed
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Dissimilar Words
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of staggered
Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
Those points are then used to determine staggered start times for the cross-country race.
—Annika Malacinski, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
Members of the commission will be unpaid volunteers, serving staggered three-year terms, per the city.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
These candle holders make the perfect table centerpiece; pair a medium-sized holder with a large-sized holder for a staggered display.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
Mitigation efforts include strategic and staggered price increases, as well as partial cost-sharing with factory partners, the analyst noted.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
The collection will have a staggered release.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
For example, properties like S Hotel Montego Bay and nearby Excellence Oyster Bay are currently open, while others remain on staggered timelines.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
Food banks in South and West Texas will receive staggered amounts, according to the size and needs of each region.
—Imelda García, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The pools are staggered across levels (some adults-only), and there are connecting rooms and kid-friendly food.
—Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The Bills had a pretty cushy road schedule this year, playing once outside the Eastern time zone, yet staggered around early.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The Packers staggered to the finish with a four-game losing streak but will have quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) back.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
When oil prices slid and mismanagement came due, the country staggered into hyperinflation, shortages, and mass migration, culminating in a full‑blown humanitarian crisis that outlived Chávez and deepened under his successor, Nicolás Maduro.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Construction will be staggered to avoid too many simultaneous trail closures, officials said.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Typically, remains were exposed prior to cremation, and individual burials were staggered over time.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
Board members will generally serve four-year terms, but the inaugural board will include some two-year appointments so that terms are staggered.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Carryover funding from previous fiscal years is allowing services to continue to be introduced on a staggered schedule.
—Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
Those points are then used to determine staggered start times for the cross-country race.
—Annika Malacinski, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
Members of the commission will be unpaid volunteers, serving staggered three-year terms, per the city.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
These candle holders make the perfect table centerpiece; pair a medium-sized holder with a large-sized holder for a staggered display.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
Mitigation efforts include strategic and staggered price increases, as well as partial cost-sharing with factory partners, the analyst noted.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
The collection will have a staggered release.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
For example, properties like S Hotel Montego Bay and nearby Excellence Oyster Bay are currently open, while others remain on staggered timelines.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
Food banks in South and West Texas will receive staggered amounts, according to the size and needs of each region.
—Imelda García, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
Layoffs will be staggered through the site’s closure on April 29.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The pools are staggered across levels (some adults-only), and there are connecting rooms and kid-friendly food.
—Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The Bills had a pretty cushy road schedule this year, playing once outside the Eastern time zone, yet staggered around early.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The Packers staggered to the finish with a four-game losing streak but will have quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) back.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
When oil prices slid and mismanagement came due, the country staggered into hyperinflation, shortages, and mass migration, culminating in a full‑blown humanitarian crisis that outlived Chávez and deepened under his successor, Nicolás Maduro.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Construction will be staggered to avoid too many simultaneous trail closures, officials said.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Typically, remains were exposed prior to cremation, and individual burials were staggered over time.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
Board members will generally serve four-year terms, but the inaugural board will include some two-year appointments so that terms are staggered.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staggered
Adjective
-
Early roles introduced him to the mechanics of financial institutions, insurance and investment products, and real estate, while also revealing how often people felt overwhelmed by information presented without context.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The agony of not knowing what would happen to his wife and only child overwhelmed Luis, Xiong said.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even then, his father, Chris Oettinger, hesitated to believe his Olympic dreams would become a reality — until the roster was announced last month.—
Lia Assimakopoulos
Dallas Stars,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Asked if this was a statement game, Dahlin hesitated.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tennessee faltered again right before half, missing six of its final seven shots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Lock went 4-1 as a starter in 2019 after taking over from veteran Joe Flacco, but faltered in a rocky 2020, with a league-leading 13 interceptions in just 13 games.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The iguanas featured in the makeshift blanket are cold-stunned lizards.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Whenever this happens, iguanas, which are accustomed to hot weather, become cold-stunned.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Royals shuffled through outfielders at a rapid rate.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Johnny Rondon-Rodriguez, a Venezuelan who had been shuffled in and out of jail since his arrest earlier this month, was similarly released by senior District Judge John Antoon, who heard his case immediately following Lleo-Rodriguez’s.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The bemused interviewer then asked if Guardiola felt the interpretation of rules was different in the Premier League.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Over the subsequent stories, Goodman crafts subtle investigations of the relations between siblings, the fine blend of anxiety and pride parents feel for their offspring, and the bemused affection an aunt or uncle might feel for their aimless nieces or haphazard nephews.—
Chloe Schama,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staggered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggered. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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