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
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 stagger
The two would stagger back into the house, sweaty, looking a mess and talking a mess, too.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Lue has tried to stagger their minutes to not overplay them.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
David staggered off and collapsed on the sidewalk, videos played this week showed.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
Shortly afterward, the members staggered their enlistments in the military to carry out their mandatory service periods while working on solo projects as well.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Lue has tried to stagger their minutes to not overplay them.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
David staggered off and collapsed on the sidewalk, videos played this week showed.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
Shortly afterward, the members staggered their enlistments in the military to carry out their mandatory service periods while working on solo projects as well.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
-
Don’t gag, don’t cry — and my stomach lurched.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The leftward lurch could cost Republicans control of Congress for the president’s final two years in office.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dubai, in particular, finds its position as the crown jewel of Middle East’s tourism faltering as its airports have been forced to shut temporarily during the conflict.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The right-hander — a former first-round pick by the Pirates in 2017 — missed out on his first victory with the Orioles since being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay when Baltimore's defense faltered late.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Models are tottering on the cobblestoned Bond Street with their heels getting stuck in the rivets.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Now, even that tiny effort is tottering.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t hesitate to step away if things get too heated.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Evaluate your silver investment options with precision, then, and don't hesitate to use the experts associated with precious metal investing companies who can better assist you and help you get started securely.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond the vitrines of watches that weave throughout the space is another enclave with banquette seating to also be used for appointments.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The 20-track LP serves as equal parts music and cinema in which Crockett weaves a tale of McLane as a cattle rustler on the run from the law who — eventually — gets his redemption.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hunters exploring in a remote section of the 500,000-acre Pisgah National Forest stumbled onto a body in the dark, according to investigators in western North Carolina.—
Mark Price
April 5,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In the clip, the two actors stumble backwards into the glass before falling through and out of the frame.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Khloe Pereira went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs, while Leah Perez finished 2-for-5 with a walk and four runs as Greater New Bedford (2-0) rolled to a 14-5 win over Dartmouth.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Bocce — an ancient Roman sport that evolved into a popular Italian lawn-bowling game — has rolled into breweries and bars, too.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the offense was shut out on four hits in Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to the Angels, Counsell shuffled the lineup.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, Meyerson was shuffled to three different ALFs in six months — from Hialeah to Kendall to Homestead.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
