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
Relevance
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
The purchasing will be done in phases in order to stagger the maintenance and lifetime of the vehicles.
—
Patrick Damp, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Layoffs will be staggered through the site’s closure on April 29.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The pools are staggered across levels (some adults-only), and there are connecting rooms and kid-friendly food.
—Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The Packers staggered to the finish with a four-game losing streak but will have quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) back.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Patrick Damp, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Layoffs will be staggered through the site’s closure on April 29.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The pools are staggered across levels (some adults-only), and there are connecting rooms and kid-friendly food.
—Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The Packers staggered to the finish with a four-game losing streak but will have quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) back.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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When, at my photographer’s request, the president approaches the window of his office to open the blinds, his bodyguard lurches forward to close them.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
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The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday came after hours of indications that the anticipated talks were faltering over changes in the format and content of the talks.—
JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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Lock went 4-1 as a starter in 2019 after taking over from veteran Joe Flacco, but faltered in a rocky 2020, with a league-leading 13 interceptions in just 13 games.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Asked during a keynote appearance at Berlin’s European Film Market whether such a deal would be good for the film business, Ford didn’t hesitate.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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Glenn and his friends were asked to meet some girls, and the teens didn’t hesitate.—
Yolanda Harris,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Vimini is likely just a hint of what’s to come, as Bulgari weaves designs from its past with the fresh talent and the state-of-the-art resources shaping its future.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2026
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Coleman drove north in southbound lanes and was weaving in traffic when officers lost sight of him for the final time, according to the probable cause statement.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hockey players, however, are team sport Winter Olympians who play professionally in leagues looking to capitalize on the millions of global viewers that might stumble onto the sport over the next two weeks.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Dumb luck certainly did favor the bold that night, as Dallas stumbled into Cooper Flagg despite having been a Play-In Tournament team.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the movie’s artful direction, nimble structure, visual richness and impeccable performances make for something full-bodied, compelling and deeply affecting, its melancholy beauty lingering long after the end credits roll.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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That rolling emergency declaration enabled more than $573 million to be spent on immigration enforcement from the account since 2023, including $405 million in just the past six months tied to pop-up detention centers, private jet costs and restaurant bills.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The race for Los Angeles mayor has been in an extraordinary state of flux, with the candidate lineup shuffling and reshuffling in the final days before the filing deadline.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Moore administration has chosen the opposite approach, doubling down on spending while shuffling money around in a game of three-card monte.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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