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
Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2024
Catch up quick: While the mayor and commissioners elected from District 1 and 2 will serve four-year terms, District 3 and District 4 will only serve two-year terms, so later elections can be staggered.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024
The club decided to stagger the stand’s reopening over multiple games — first just the lower tier, then the upper — which meant capacity went up by 7,000 for the home match against Manchester United, improving the supply of tickets.
—Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
The Peach, Rose, and Sugar bowls will be staggered throughout the day on Jan. 1.
—Ross Terrell, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stagger 
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Verb
Let There Be Carnage came out staggered as the pandemic was easing.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2024
Catch up quick: While the mayor and commissioners elected from District 1 and 2 will serve four-year terms, District 3 and District 4 will only serve two-year terms, so later elections can be staggered.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024
The club decided to stagger the stand’s reopening over multiple games — first just the lower tier, then the upper — which meant capacity went up by 7,000 for the home match against Manchester United, improving the supply of tickets.
—Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
The Peach, Rose, and Sugar bowls will be staggered throughout the day on Jan. 1.
—Ross Terrell, Axios, 5 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 2024.
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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