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
Rumors also say the flagship Nova Lake desktop chip will feature a staggering 52 CPU cores. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026 But 21 years after Oviedo, a staggering gap lies between expectations for the technology and its operational reality. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 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
  • The astonishing details about the filming of Rocky as depicted in its new making-of biopic are true.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Democrats flipped an astonishing 15 seats in the Florida House that were held by Republicans.
    — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 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
  • By the end of the lengthy, lurching first act, the entire eight-person cast is onstage.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of lurching
Verb
  • That investigation has shown signs of faltering amid a spate of staff turnovers and delays.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of faltering
Adjective
  • The all-metal chassis opens up to reveal a spacious keyboard, responsive touchpad, and a full 3K OLED screen with amazing True Black 1000 color quality and brightness.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There’s been a lot of amazing disability representation on Dancing With the Stars.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 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
  • Regardless of which candidate wins the governorship, such legislation would face difficult questions in Sacramento, especially at a time when the state is still reeling from federal funding cuts.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Post-production in Southern California has been reeling from an unprecedented industry contraction, partly due to the flight of filming to other states and countries.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 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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staggering
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Cite this Entry

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

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