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
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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
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Recent Examples of stagger
When Your State’s Medicaid Work Requirement Kicks In The rollout is staggered.
—
Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
The transition has to be staggered.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Together the strangers slung Haridasse's arms over their shoulders and staggered to the finish line as a trio.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, addressed concerns about giving one party too much power by staggering the new authorizations out over a 0-year period.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
The transition has to be staggered.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Together the strangers slung Haridasse's arms over their shoulders and staggered to the finish line as a trio.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, addressed concerns about giving one party too much power by staggering the new authorizations out over a 0-year period.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
-
The ladies haven’t had that problem, lurching out of the gate like the racehorses at Ascot.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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For weeks, the Strait of Hormuz has lurched between open and closed — mostly the latter — depending on the day’s escalation, underscoring how fragile a system built on global fossil fuel chokepoints has become.—
Jennifer Granholm,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The merger, announced about a year ago, faltered for several reasons.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Most of that was driven by faltering corporation tax receipts.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 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
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Mazzulla, who’s trumpeted the Celtics depth at every turn this season, shouldn’t hesitate to use it if his starters stumble on Saturday.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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That level of detail can make even cautious people hesitate.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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With a gallery space split between a dance studio and a film editing room, the exhibition weaves elements of choreography, documentary, oral history and ritual.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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Sports fans, theater lovers, and nightlife seekers can weave effortlessly through Daikin Park, Alley Theatre, and the Houston Symphony, with local bars like Angel Share offering creative cocktails and a friendly vibe.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
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As Laugier’s story continues, the man wanders through a forest, stumbles upon fallen branches, and has an epiphany.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
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Mazzulla, who’s trumpeted the Celtics depth at every turn this season, shouldn’t hesitate to use it if his starters stumble on Saturday.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The ball rolled away, but third-base coach Borg held Gilbert at third, despite Gilbert having more than enough speed to score.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
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Getting things rolling Walt Disney World is reviving two roller coasters, starting May 3 with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Verb
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MotoGP also had to shuffle its schedule due to the conflict in the Middle East, postponing the Qatar Grand Prix to November.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
7 May 2026
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But sometimes, simply shuffling the pieces can help, in our view.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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