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
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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
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Recent Examples of staggers
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
Hothead follows, and, when the lawyer staggers out to take a leak, Hothead shoves a gardening fork through his neck.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Make the most of the shoulder seasons Almost all schools in England enjoy the long summer break at the same time (unlike in Scotland, which staggers its school vacation time for each region).
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025
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
Hothead follows, and, when the lawyer staggers out to take a leak, Hothead shoves a gardening fork through his neck.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Make the most of the shoulder seasons Almost all schools in England enjoy the long summer break at the same time (unlike in Scotland, which staggers its school vacation time for each region).
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staggers
Verb
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But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
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After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When pressed on what a new economic system for the age of AGI might look like, Hunter-Torricke hesitates.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
If someone hesitates, give them time to respond, because shared goals deserve space for honest input.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Trying to hold all of that in, trying to be the one who never falters is not sustainable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
-
What never falters is the euphoric chaos of the experience.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staggers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggers. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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