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
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
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
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
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
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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Though Pollan hesitates to claim that a fundamental aspect of human capability and human experience remains beyond science’s reach, A World Appears closely maps out such a territory.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
11 Mar. 2026
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If a planner hesitates or hedges on this question, consider that a red flag.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 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
-
If Oviedo falters over the next month, the Red Sox may be forced to flip him with either Tolle or Early.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Alice never falters in her suspicions.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staggers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggers. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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