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

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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

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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
The range of stories and voices was staggering — and a heartening sign for anyone who believes that the future of African cinema is now. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Here, overdoses were a staggering 159% higher than expected relative to out-of-state visitors to the rest of California. — Ilan Shrira, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Powell-Herro partnership also was never able to consistently produce positive results, as the Heat was left staggering their minutes by the end of the season. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 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 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
  • At Garth Greenan, where more than forty of Drexler’s paintings and drawings from the sixties were on display, I was struck, once again, by the astonishing freshness and psychological bite of her work.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Chelsea 2026-27 rank second on that list, trailing only Liverpool’s astonishing start to their title-winning 2019-20 campaign.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of astonishing
Noun
  • The swift rebound when a nation switches from a wobbling to hard currency is a scenario Hanke has witnessed many times before in his adventures as the Money Doctor.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Softening rather than stiffening when moving through space requires embracing your body’s natural sway and tiny micro-movements, like an ankle wobbling or knee jiggling.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of wobbling
Verb
  • Maybe this is what the Chargers are — lurching, sputtering and unable to consistently move the football, despite an offensive overhaul packed with lofty expectations.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of lurching
Verb
  • There were early indicators that both programs and public engagement were faltering under the board’s new leadership.
    — E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The grandees of Gullen have set their hopes on Claire’s bankrolling their faltering community’s recovery.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of faltering
Adjective
  • That’s from interaction with amazing creatives, amazing writers who have different perspectives.
    — Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Everything about the show was amazing and just a joyous occasion and one that will go down in music history.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of amazing
Noun
  • After days of indecision, NASCAR disciplined seven people who participated in the attack on young racing star Corey Heim in front of a concession stand at Martinsville Speedway shortly after the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 on Saturday.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Alex wants to hold on and let go at once, and her indecision spirals into a familiar yet attuned portrait of middle-age upheaval.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of indecision
Verb
  • From one disaster to the next Beals is like a modern California Odysseus, reeling from one era-defining disaster to the next, trying to maintain her sense of perspective and her sense of humor through it all.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The strip of multimillion-dollar oceanfront properties, along with much of the Southern California coastline, was already reeling from Hurricane Marie in September.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of reeling
Verb
  • But experts have worried that doctors are hesitating to offer treatment without an ironclad diagnosis, which clinicians say can take time and increase risks to the mother.
    — Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Fertilizer is often bought months ahead of planting, so hesitating in the fall can mean less goes on the ground in the spring.
    — Jayash Paudel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitating

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staggering
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Cite this Entry

“Staggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggering. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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