as in astonishing
causing wonder or astonishment
the staggering scope of the new construction on campus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in wobbling
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Peter S. Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
The rising incidence of depression, suicide and addiction among men has reached staggering levels, yet the social and psychological infrastructure to address it remains dangerously underdeveloped.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025
That staggering figure translates to $2.1 million per carat.
—India Brown, Robb Report, 3 July 2025
Contrast this with the COVID-19 pandemic, when large amounts of stimulus and other economic supports kept credit scores high despite staggering job losses and other economic travails.
—Chi Chi Wu, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for staggering
Verb
Nearly 3,000 properties nationwide are affected — and a staggering number are right here in South Florida, with Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties at ground zero.
—Peter S. Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
The rising incidence of depression, suicide and addiction among men has reached staggering levels, yet the social and psychological infrastructure to address it remains dangerously underdeveloped.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025
That staggering figure translates to $2.1 million per carat.
—India Brown, Robb Report, 3 July 2025
Contrast this with the COVID-19 pandemic, when large amounts of stimulus and other economic supports kept credit scores high despite staggering job losses and other economic travails.
—Chi Chi Wu, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for staggering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staggering
Adjective
-
In fact, her record is astonishing as a manager at the Euros with 12 wins from 12 matches.—
Darren Richman,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
-
The circle's latest trick in its astonishing 100-year history?—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Looking for an amazing place to celebrate the Fourth of July?—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
And equally amazing is the fact that the brooch or pin that Duguid wears in it on his coat survives and [was previously] displayed next to the painting.—
Karin Wulf,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Craft is the connective tissue of our history, weaving itself through each iteration and enabling new players to interpret it in novel ways.—
Bill Connolly,
Rolling Stone,
30 Dec. 2024
-
But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
South Carolina: The most surprising collection of players who could become the best in the country.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
Most stories have a surprising amount of drama before finding the right approach.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
But the $12 billion decline in his fortune has more to do with asset shuffling than stock price movement.—
Julie Goldenberg,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
-
James has been shuffling back and forth between the NBA and the G League.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
However, delay or indecision risks ceding ground to rivals and forfeiting a valuable strategic edge.—
Roomy Khan,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
Even though bombshell Pepe and Hannah have had a couple of steamy moments, Hannah and Charlie connected on a deeper level after days of indecision.—
Taryn Finley,
Refinery29,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Colleagues, mentors and friends are wonderful sources of feedback.—
Kim Salem-Jackson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
These tender, buttery peas are wonderful in any number of dishes, but our new favorite just might be this black-eyed pea dip.—
Mary Claire Britton,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite starting from a neutral position roughly three yards off his line, John shows no hesitation in extending himself nearly 10 yards to reach the edge of his penalty spot and claim the ball with authority.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
-
Was there any hesitation about writing something that hits so close to home in terms of your real-life experiences within the reality TV community?—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Staggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggering. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share