staggered; staggering
ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ 
1
a
: to reel from side to side : totter
b
: to move on unsteadily
staggered toward the door
2
: to waver in purpose or action : hesitate
3
: to rock violently
the ship staggered
1
: to cause to doubt or hesitate : perplex
2
: to cause to reel or totter
3
: to arrange in any of various zigzags, alternations, or overlappings of position or time
stagger work shifts
stagger teeth on a cutter
1
staggers plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by incoordination and a reeling unsteady gait
2
: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance
3
: an arrangement in which the leading edge of the upper wing of a biplane is advanced over that of the lower
: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern
Examples of stagger in a Sentence
Verb
She staggered over to the sofa.
A hard slap on the back staggered him.
It staggers me to see how much money they've spent on this project.
They staggered the runners' starting positions.
Noun
He walked with a slight stagger.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom Stacer, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
As minutes get staggered, being able to anchor a second unit and help out the starters while also on the court matters.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
As the men fled westbound on E. 163rd St., the wounded victim staggered across the street for help at a nearby bodega.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
The response Many Palestinians have been staggered that Trump takes it on himself to speak on their behalf.
—Lee Keath, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
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Verb
As the bullet smashed into it the animal staggered, but came right on.
—Tom Stacer, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
As minutes get staggered, being able to anchor a second unit and help out the starters while also on the court matters.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
As the men fled westbound on E. 163rd St., the wounded victim staggered across the street for help at a nearby bodega.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
The response Many Palestinians have been staggered that Trump takes it on himself to speak on their behalf.
—Lee Keath, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagger. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stagger
1 of 2 verb
stag·ger
ˈstag-ər
staggered; staggering
-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side as if about to fall
2
a
: to begin to doubt and waver : become less confident
b
: to cause to doubt, waver, or hesitate : overwhelm
were staggered by the problems they had to face
3
: to place or arrange in a zigzag or alternate but regular way
stagger
2 of 2 noun1
plural
: an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by unsteady movements and falling
2
: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance
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