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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stagger
Their deployments were staggered over about 15 minutes, with each satellite relying on its own timed separation mechanism.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 May 2025
Perhaps the gorilla has a chance if its opponents were staggered, in a series of one-on-one battles until one of the men defeats the great ape.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Lay it in a brick-like fashion so the ends of the rectangular pieces are staggered across the lawn.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
The Lakers’ 94-85 Game 2 victory featured a fourth quarter in which both teams staggered and stumbled to the finish line.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 May 2025
Perhaps the gorilla has a chance if its opponents were staggered, in a series of one-on-one battles until one of the men defeats the great ape.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Lay it in a brick-like fashion so the ends of the rectangular pieces are staggered across the lawn.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
The Lakers’ 94-85 Game 2 victory featured a fourth quarter in which both teams staggered and stumbled to the finish line.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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And now that governments in many rich countries have sharply lurched to the right and taken more skeptical stances on aid, this industry is collapsing.—
Zainab Usman,
Foreign Affairs,
5 May 2025
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German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was one of the first European leaders to grasp the long-term implications of the American lurch toward authoritarianism.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With federal support faltering, your role has never been more critical.—
Randy Colman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2025
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The effort comes as progress on crypto legislation has faltered.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
14 May 2025
Verb
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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
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The nation is tottering on the edge of dictatorship.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Marsch didn’t hesitate to call on the 21-year-old to replace Davies in March.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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When asked to reflect on a moment that stands out from his 5-year tenure (2000-2005), AJ didn’t hesitate.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The singer sported an intricate top for her time on the show — silver chains woven together to form a halter-neck shape.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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McIlroy’s family history is woven into Northern Ireland’s past, which is marked by conflict, resilience and pride.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Still, many times, most seasoned and skilled leaders stumble from time to time.—
Phil Portman,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Meanwhile, the only truly happy artist in Ira’s friend group — played to uproarious perfection by Stanley Tucci — isn’t even much of an artist at all but a shameless name-dropper who seems to stumble into constant success without even trying.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Fold the top edge of the towel down and roll it tightly halfway down the towel.—
Veronica Bravo,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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Miles initially rolled the plan out at 28 campuses, but more have joined since then.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Bemused tourists attempt to shuffle through the acrid red and blue flare smoke.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Deep in the bowels of State Farm Stadium, Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson and a group of his players shuffled into a concrete-walled space that had been converted into a makeshift press conference room.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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