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
Monckton said the rollout seems to be staggered, and not all users have access to this capability yet.
—
Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Sheriff’s officials said a man was stabbed multiple times, and the wounded man staggered into a nearby church.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025
According to The Guardian, more disturbing videos emerged, from Ford allegedly staggering around a room and ranting about killing someone to him calling the city police chief a derogatory name and attempting a Jamaican accent.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 June 2025
Elena Guseva’s soprano staggers in its power and control, retaining its hue even at lofty peaks.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Sheriff’s officials said a man was stabbed multiple times, and the wounded man staggered into a nearby church.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025
According to The Guardian, more disturbing videos emerged, from Ford allegedly staggering around a room and ranting about killing someone to him calling the city police chief a derogatory name and attempting a Jamaican accent.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 June 2025
Elena Guseva’s soprano staggers in its power and control, retaining its hue even at lofty peaks.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger
Verb
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With the stunning reemergence of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic socialists in the New York City mayor’s election, the Democratic Party is lurching even further to the left, leaving them even more alienated and out of touch.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
26 June 2025
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The Taxpayers can lurch from old-school punk into pop, ballad and experimental territories.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Skills Even with the best tools, untrained teams falter.—
Saby Waraich,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Most of the recent job growth was in health care, social assistance, leisure and hospitality, a red flag that overall job growth may falter in the coming months.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 July 2025
Verb
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As Joe Biden tottered and fell (literally as well as metaphorically), more than a few pundits compared him to Lear, a man who was ruined by age, pride, and the flattery of sycophants.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
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Dina Tomczak, the school’s athletic director, tottered into her office having barely slept.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Don’t hesitate to end partnerships with contractors who aren’t aligned with your vision or delivering results.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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In this way, the ellipsoid would change shape in jerky, hesitating motions, gradually exploring the space around it.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The idea of American exceptionalism is woven into the fabric of the country’s identity.—
Brendan Rascius
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
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For more info: CBS News GAMES: Candy Land, the game that still hits a sweet spot For the last 75 years, generations have taken turns weaving through a rainbow road, surrounded by all things candy.—
David Morgan
July 11,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Hegseth, a former Fox TV host who has stumbled through several controversies during his six months in office, sat silently next to Trump without volunteering any information about the decision that apparently came on his watch.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
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After a dramatic event, like an underwater landslide, covered her in sediment, her body remained hidden until 16 years ago, when scientists stumbled upon the nearly pristine fossil of the animal—a dolphin-like marine predator—and unearthed it for further research.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 July 2025
Verb
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The truck will roll into key markets including Ballerini's hometown of Knoxville, the Texas State Fair and Red River Rivalry weekend.—
Brittany Talarico,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Cameras rolled yesterday at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
Verb
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All week, campers were shuffled from one activity to the next, mixing games, prayers and church services with lectures that coincide with lessons from the Bible.—
Paul Bersebach,
Oc Register,
12 July 2025
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Guevara, 47, has been shuffled through three detention sites despite Immigration Judge James Ward’s decision to grant him bond on July 1, according to The Associated Press.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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