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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stagger
Jamal Murray, who’s back to staggering with the bench most nights, has found harmony next to Russell Westbrook.
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Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 26 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for stagger 
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 26 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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Context: Cox, who previously nurtured a profile as a moderate conservative and critic of President-elect Trump, lurched to the political right last year.Erin Alberty, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
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The departing team rushed out and climbed into the vehicle, which lurched away, vanishing with haste.C.J. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Her breaking point came during a task that repeatedly pulled the interlocked participants under frigid water: The soggy Sutter faltered when running from the beach with a 30-pound rucksack.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
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Over the course of the war, ceasefire negotiations have faltered at the eleventh hour on several occasions.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Then there's the small, sweet moments—video of my goddaughter tottering in her first pair of shoes; my cat caught mid-yawn; a selfie of me and my dad on a date to the symphony.Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
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Iraqi state institutions such as these were already tottering, and these actions threaten to erode them further.Michael Knights, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2023
Verb
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Patients often hesitate to share feedback openly in these areas, fearing judgment or a loss of privacy.Lauren Parr, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Yes, there are lots of uses for buttermilk, don't hesitate.Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This means weaving compelling narratives around the numbers, bringing the human impact of inclusion to life.Julie Kratz, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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Penn State’s quarterback weaved through the depths of Hard Rock Stadium, stepping over the heaps of blue and gold confetti that paved the way to Notre Dame’s locker room.Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Apparently, Ron had unknowingly stumbled into a deer chase by one or more wolves.Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
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The under sticks out here considering Jim Harbaugh’s typical grind it out mentality and Houston’s stumbling offense.Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Many regions, including the Beehive State, are currently experiencing heavy snowfall as a result of a massive winter storm rolling through the Midwest, East Coast and beyond.Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
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Ryan took full advantage of his opportunity to play extended minutes Monday night, scoring nine points as the host Caravan rolled to a 79-33 nonconference win over Eisenhower in Chicago.Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For more on Marvel Rivals, our in-depth guides cover the best Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist characters, which are due to get shuffled thanks to the arrival of the new heroes.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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Injuries forced Howe to shuffle his pack, and hit doubly hard as midfielders/forwards had to fulfil secondary positions, such as Gordon to right-winger or Joelinton from No 8 to winger.Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near stagger
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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