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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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
Like other tech giants, Microsoft is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on AI data centers and chips, drawing scrutiny from investors over whether the returns will justify the staggering cost. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026 That is a staggering fact, one that drags behind it a whole ghost book about what happened to Nantucket and countless other places across the country after so many of their citizens left to try to strike it rich in California. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, addressed concerns about giving one party too much power by staggering the new authorizations out over a 0-year period. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026 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 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
  • Then an astonishing road upset of Texas that suggested Florida had finally turned the corner.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
  • As a result, as the elements of Jurek’s towering and astonishing crimes begin to click together, the plot quickly shifts, leading the narrative into entirely different and ever more haunting directions.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 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
  • After a handful of supremely mellow releases that blended lurching ’90s breakbeats with wintry, Mazzy Star-like songwriting, their third album dives into a vat of mercurial distortion and slippery, all-consuming bass.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Irvine, who was commuting home from his job as a technician in a dark blue Volkswagen hatchback, came to an abrupt stop in free-flowing traffic, lurching to the far-right lane.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of lurching
Verb
  • European regulators are putting fierce pressure on Tesla regarding potential road safety issues, while faltering US sales are bringing the economic viability of an international rollout into question.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Analysts noted that the brand was bucking trends among Chinese consumers, where most luxury brands have been faltering this quarter.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of faltering
Adjective
  • The group of girls are just truly amazing and really fight for each other.
    — Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • He was voted unanimously for all of his amazing contributions.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of amazing
Noun
  • In other words, this is a call to trade comfortable indecision (Libra) for a serious plan of action (Capricorn).
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of indecision
Verb
  • Cooper Flagg had 29 points and 11 assists, plus blocked a shot that would have given Miami the lead in the final moments, and the Dallas Mavericks sent the reeling Miami Heat to 0-4 with a 113-109 win on Monday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Room for Disagreement Iowa is reeling from high gas prices and a moribund agriculture market, causing dissatisfaction with the long-ruling GOP.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of reeling
Verb
  • With more than seven million people packed into over 9,000 high-rises, efficiency is key here, and people will judge you for holding up lines, hesitating with your Octopus card, or lingering over your dim sum table while others are waiting.
    — Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of hesitating

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Cite this Entry

“Staggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggering. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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