staggering 1 of 3

adjective

ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce staggering (audio)
Definition of staggeringnext
as in astonishing
causing wonder or astonishment the staggering scope of the new construction on campus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

staggering

2 of 3

noun

as in wobbling

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Dissimilar Words

staggering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of stagger
1
as in lurching
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 faltering
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 staggering
Adjective
Perhaps lesser known is San Jose Jazz’s Summer Fest, which brings a staggering number of jazz, blues, reggae and other acts to indoor and outdoor stages in downtown San Jose, also Friday through Sunday. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 Its staggering ascent in the Africa Cup of Nations is upsetting not just soccer stats, but ideas about who can be a soccer star. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
As the Transit officers descended down to the 4/5/6 platform, one of Griffin’s victims came staggering up the stairs, seeking medial attention, Tisch said. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026 Instead of staggering the fests and conferences over nine or 11 days, everything is now crammed into the same seven-day period, including film and TV, education, comedy and tech. — Thor Christensen, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for staggering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staggering
  1. astonishing
  2. wobbling
  3. lurching
  4. faltering
  5. amazing
  6. indecision
  7. reeling
  8. hesitating
Adjective
  • However, due to headwinds, that was reduced to 74 minutes, which was and still continues to be an astonishing achievement.
    — Dhananjay Khadilkar, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • It’s expected to perform an astonishing number of tasks simultaneously.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of astonishing
Noun
  • During testing, the creator found that the stock connection caused excessive wobbling while driving, leading to the development of a custom dual-rod mechanism designed to stabilize head movement.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
  • Losers often exit the octagon wobbling, smiling, fogged, concussed.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Definition of wobbling
Verb
  • The same boom-and-bust dependency on the oil industry, whose profits were now funnelled through the regime and its allies, kept the country lurching from one crisis to the next.
    — Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
  • The old guard of the Democratic Party suffered another body blow when three socialist congressional candidates in New York with anti-Israel platforms swept to victory, lurching the party even further to the left.
    — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 25 June 2026
Definition of lurching
Verb
  • The Athletic spoke to those close to Rooney — who did so anonymously to protect relationships — about his transformation from faltering broadcaster to one of the bright points of the national broadcaster’s coverage.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The boy was burly and had a remarkable strength and energy that stayed throughout his life, only faltering in the very last throes of death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of faltering
Adjective
  • The sense of antiquity is preserved (stone staircases worn smooth by the centuries, wooden shutters in the bedrooms), but there’s no shortage of modern amenities, from the amazing Duxiana beds to bathrooms with rain showers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s so many amazing female filmmakers out there as well, who are making really cool films and doing amazing work.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of amazing
Noun
  • That indecision has made deals more difficult to close so far.
    — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Because in growing organizations, indecision is rarely neutral.
    — Nathan Mitchell, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of indecision
Verb
  • Bitcoin and crypto traders are still reeling from a massive $100 million bitcoin attack that sparked fears of a fresh bitcoin price crash.
    — Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As local law enforcement mourns McKnight, his young family is left reeling.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of reeling
Verb
  • So electric power companies and regulators are cautious, hesitating to construct plants unless future demand is guaranteed.
    — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Suarez, not hesitating, took advantage and sent his shot soaring.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitating

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staggered
staggering
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Cite this Entry

“Staggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggering. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of staggering for Spanish Speakers

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