staggering 1 of 3

Definition of staggeringnext

staggering

2 of 3

noun

staggering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of stagger

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
Overlooking the Ramganga River valley, Prana faces the staggering Garhwal mountain range, with Tibet on the other side of the peaks. Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 This spring-ready top is marked down by a staggering 80 percent. Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
To get through the season and the playoffs, staggering the minutes of Green and Horford is logical, even with Quintin Post picking up some center minutes. Jannelle Moore, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025 Cleaning can be an overwhelming task, so consider staggering your projects. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for staggering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staggering
Adjective
  • Everyone was understandably rattled, but no one was hurt in the mayhem, a frankly astonishing outcome for the alleged perpetrator.
    Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Then family connections got him that astonishing first job at the heart of the Defense Ministry.
    Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That wobbling can allow Arctic air from the troposphere — or contained within the polar jet stream — to move elsewhere.
    Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Moving over to the balance beam, the Bruins struggled at the start, with Matthews falling and Sumanasekera wobbling.
    Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Still, morale is much worse compared with December 2024, before DOGE took aim at the health agency's budgets and staffing, and before rounds of lurching job cuts and reinstatements left thousands of CDC workers in limbo or severed from their careers.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
  • There are plenty of differences, but the stability Atleti have fostered in sticking with Simeone stands in stark contrast to Spurs’ habit of lurching between managers, styles and approaches.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Dubai, in particular, finds its position as the crown jewel of Middle East’s tourism faltering as its airports have been forced to shut temporarily during the conflict.
    Sydney Goh, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Tatum’s injury was supposed to be a big reason the conference was so wide-open, along with the Indiana Pacers faltering because of Tyrese Haliburton’s own Achilles injury.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And many contain an amazing assortment of super nutritious foods like quinoa, kale, beans and spinach.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Another thing that’s amazing to me about Asawa, and that Chase’s book reveals, is her relationship to her family and her community.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Every minute an infrastructure project waits — due to red tape, political wrangling, indecision, prolonged negotiations, burdensome rules, lack of funding and too few hands to move it forward — the costs go up, support softens, champions go quiet and good projects die.
    Gia Biagi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In the case of any indecision, the call will ultimately go to Wiseman.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Netflix’s horror hit Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen wrapped its eight-episode run with a finale that left viewers reeling — and quietly cracked open a door for more.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Family, friends reeling from loss In a note about the tragedy, Metayer Bowen’s family reflected on her role as a daughter, aunt and friend.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Academy seems comfortable celebrating individual excellence within horror while hesitating to crown its films as definitive achievements.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Palmer is the center of the film and building the cast around her initially had Riley hesitating.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Staggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggering. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on staggering

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster