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
Synonyms
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
Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Felecia, who returned home to find emergency medical workers swarming her driveway, staggered across the front yard toward her family, uncomprehending.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
Usyk’s attacking style paid dividends in the ninth round when a combination left Fury staggering around the ring.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Initially convinced that Sheri had been abducted, the two staggered onto a nearby highway and flagged down a car for help.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stagger 
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Verb
That also staggers James and Hachimura, who is more of a power forward than a small forward positionally and can take on some of the bench scoring the Lakers are losing from Russell’s departure.
—Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Felecia, who returned home to find emergency medical workers swarming her driveway, staggered across the front yard toward her family, uncomprehending.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
Usyk’s attacking style paid dividends in the ninth round when a combination left Fury staggering around the ring.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Initially convinced that Sheri had been abducted, the two staggered onto a nearby highway and flagged down a car for help.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stagger
Dictionary Entries Near stagger
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagger. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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