1
as in to lurch
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 to falter
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 stagger
Monckton said the rollout seems to be staggered, and not all users have access to this capability yet.
—
Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Sheriff’s officials said a man was stabbed multiple times, and the wounded man staggered into a nearby church.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025
According to The Guardian, more disturbing videos emerged, from Ford allegedly staggering around a room and ranting about killing someone to him calling the city police chief a derogatory name and attempting a Jamaican accent.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 June 2025
Elena Guseva’s soprano staggers in its power and control, retaining its hue even at lofty peaks.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Sheriff’s officials said a man was stabbed multiple times, and the wounded man staggered into a nearby church.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025
According to The Guardian, more disturbing videos emerged, from Ford allegedly staggering around a room and ranting about killing someone to him calling the city police chief a derogatory name and attempting a Jamaican accent.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 June 2025
Elena Guseva’s soprano staggers in its power and control, retaining its hue even at lofty peaks.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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But that’s not enough opposition to stop CPS from lurching substantially further toward insolvency if Harden and interim school Superintendent Macquline King choose that route.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
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Like Germany after the defeat of Hitler, Argentina lurched back and forth between judging its past crimes and trying to move beyond them.—
Julia M. Klein,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
Verb
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After Democrats took control of the Senate in 2021 with President Joe Biden in the White House, efforts to address the cap again faltered, despite efforts by Pritzker and other Democratic governors who wrote Biden a letter that spring calling for it to be eliminated.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
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Trump's ratings on some of the most significant issues facing the country also faltered, according to Gallup pollsters.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
27 July 2025
Verb
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As Joe Biden tottered and fell (literally as well as metaphorically), more than a few pundits compared him to Lear, a man who was ruined by age, pride, and the flattery of sycophants.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
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Dina Tomczak, the school’s athletic director, tottered into her office having barely slept.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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But in volatile and uncertain times, many leaders hesitate to act, and others simply freeze up.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
31 July 2025
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If you’re selected for an interview, don’t hesitate to ask the hiring manager whether a degree is truly required or if relevant experience counts.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
23 July 2025
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The new agreement aims to lift these trials out of the margins and weave them more fully into the fabric of government.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Symptoms include shivering, memory loss, stumbling, confusion and sleepiness.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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Nonetheless, everything in Yountville is a short stroll, or stumble, from Jessup.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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New Fortune 2 William Wong rolled the dim sum carts back out in 2024, reviving the New Fortune brand, and the crowds immediately flocked to the restaurant that serves a wide array of popular Chinese dishes and Cantonese dim sum specialties.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Another rolled her eyes, donned a hooded sweatshirt and casually held a TV remote to mimic Timberlake's indication the fans should do the singing.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Fuller has pushed back on these claims by sharing the app's source code for shuffling and dealing virtual cards.—
Andrew Montequin,
jsonline.com,
29 July 2025
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Short, shuffling steps often prevent your glutes from firing properly.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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