staggering

adjective

stag·​ger·​ing ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ 

: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming

a staggering feat

staggering medical bills

staggeringly adverb

Synonyms

• amazing
• astonishing
• astounding
• awesome
• awful
• eye-opening
• fabulous
• marvelous
• marvellous
• miraculous
• portentous
• prodigious
• stunning
• stupendous
• sublime
• surprising
• wonderful
• wondrous

Examples of staggering in a Sentence

The storm caused a staggering amount of damage.

the staggering scope of the new construction on campus

Recent Examples on the Web

Many companies are seeing staggering improvements in their productivity and meaningful reductions in their operational costs simply by leveraging the power of AI in their processes. —Chris Brown, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

That brings total earnings since the deal to just under $2 billion — a staggering figure. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell clinched the victory of the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, and as a result, bagged the staggering $1 million prize. —Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Tariffs against China, the United States' chief economic rival on the world stage, at one point reached a staggering 145% as rates ratcheted up in a trade war. —Riley Beggin, USA Today, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for staggering

• swaggering

Kids Definition

staggering

adjective

stag·​ger·​ing

: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming

a staggering achievement

staggering medical bills

staggeringly

ˈstag-(ə-)riŋ-lē

adverb