1
as in lurches
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
Relevance
2
as in hesitates
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
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 staggers
Steely and deliberate songwriting that casually staggers down the line between rhythm and melody, laced with loose yet conscious jams.
—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.
—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.
—
Fielding Buck,
Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Because of the program's size, the Social Security Administration (SSA) staggers payments across the month to keep the system running smoothly.
—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
But Roman breaks free, staggers to his feet and appears to wipe his face, apparently from pepper spray.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
The logistical feat those intrepid women accomplished staggers the mind of any contemporary author.
—
Adrian Miller,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
For his part, Gonzalez staggers outside and falls to his knees.
—
Allison Degrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
One way to do that is through a bond ladder, which staggers individual bonds of different maturities.
—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.
—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.
—
Fielding Buck,
Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Because of the program's size, the Social Security Administration (SSA) staggers payments across the month to keep the system running smoothly.
—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
But Roman breaks free, staggers to his feet and appears to wipe his face, apparently from pepper spray.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
The logistical feat those intrepid women accomplished staggers the mind of any contemporary author.
—
Adrian Miller,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
For his part, Gonzalez staggers outside and falls to his knees.
—
Allison Degrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
One way to do that is through a bond ladder, which staggers individual bonds of different maturities.
—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staggers
Verb
-
The film unhurriedly lurches from one markedly similar fight scene to the next, with only Skeletor’s occasional injections of ripe innuendo to liven them up a bit.
-
By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.
Verb
-
Sirianni hesitates for a moment, like the school troublemaker on the verge of another unpleasant trip to the principal’s office.
-
If someone hesitates, keep spirits up and adjust the route without losing the goal, then genuinely celebrate small wins.
Verb
-
But The Gilded Age doesn’t do pure villains with its main cast, and Oscar totters between failson and tragic figure, the closeted heir of the Van Rhijn family dragged to hell and back after being defrauded of his mother’s fortune.
Verb
-
Conquerors and autocrats may win the immediate battle by bullying their subjects into submission, but their empires inevitably crumble the moment their iron grip falters.
-
If Clark falters or Shinnecock Hills rises up — now less likely with the wind expected to calm down — then Scheffler figures to be the best bet to scoop up the trophy and wrap up the career Grand Slam.
Cite this Entry
“Staggers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggers. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
