stagger
verb
stag·ger
| \ ˈsta-gər
\
\
staggered;
staggering\ ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ
\
\
Definition of stagger
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: 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
stagger
nounDefinition of stagger (Entry 2 of 3)
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
stagger
adjectiveDefinition of stagger (Entry 3 of 3)
: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern
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Other Words from stagger
Verb
staggerer
\ ˈsta-gər-ər
\
noun
\
noun
Synonyms for stagger
Synonyms: Verb
careen, dodder, lurch, reel, teeter, totter, waddle
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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: Verb
The terms are staggered, with five nominated every other year to serve two-year terms. — al, "Alabama charter school commission remade, here’s their track record so far," 26 Aug. 2019 The restaurant’s interior is modeled after a 1950s diner: A long bar is host to swiveling white stools, and cushioned red booths are staggered along a wall of windows. — Ross Dellenger, SI.com, "With the Injuries (and the Hype) Behind Him, Khalil Tate Resolves to Write a New Chapter," 8 Aug. 2019 The industry is staggered, careening toward a point of no return. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Conflict of interest in group linked to CHRB, Stronach Group, Breeders’ Cup baffles," 6 Aug. 2019 All of the town councilor positions go to election every two years, while the Board of Education’s four-year terms are staggered. — Emily Brindley, courant.com, "West Hartford Democrats endorse candidates for November elections," 18 July 2019 Partly to mitigate such chaos on the roads, school holidays in Germany are staggered from state to state. — New York Times, "Skipping School for Cheap Flights? You Could Be Fined in Germany," 23 May 2018 Or perhaps massive annual deficits and staggering debt will finally catch up to a financially reckless government. — Victor Davis Hanson, The Mercury News, "Victor Davis Hanson: What could sink Trump’s chances in 2020?," 23 Aug. 2019 Or perhaps massive annual deficits and staggering debt will finally catch up to a financially reckless government. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "What Could Sink Trump’s Chances in 2020?," 22 Aug. 2019 But the area’s spectacular array of staggering landscapes is just one notable element of its exceptional and varied allure. — Fortune, "New Zealand’s Hottest Destination Is One You’ve Likely Never Heard Of," 18 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
There are a lot of big decisions on deck as the Sox stagger to the finish. — Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, "Dave Dombrowski discovers having the biggest payroll always comes with a price," 9 Sep. 2019 That could strengthen the new SPD leader and let the coalition stagger on. — The Economist, "Andrea Nahles’s resignation leaves Germany’s government teetering," 8 June 2019 His mother said the family is aware of the smattering of crass fans who use social media to badger college kids when expectations not of their own making stagger. — Bryce Miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "It's Trey's time as Kell-led Aztecs fight into NCAA field," 13 Mar. 2018 Critics say his abandoning of the TPP was a colossal error; the countries that the Obama administration rallied behind the most ambitious trade deal in history stagger along without U.S. leadership. — Andrew Browne, WSJ, "Trump’s New National-Security Policy: Paper Tiger or Hidden Dragon?," 19 Dec. 2017 As the Orioles stagger to the end of the season, there's speculation that manager Buck Showalter might shut down Bundy, who's now at a career-high 1692/3 innings. — David Ginsburg, courant.com, "Benintendi's 2-Run Single In 11th Lifts Red Sox Past Orioles," 19 Sep. 2017 A concerned Shaw watched Meyer, dazed and bleeding from scrapes, stagger to his feet. — Gary D'amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "D'Amato: Carl Meyer keeps swinging, and swinging, for veterans," 4 July 2017 The clumsy stagger-step between every action is a pain, but it’s basically all there is to Valkyria Revolution’s combat. — Steven Strom, Ars Technica, "Valkyria Revolution trades in cult-classic status for wasted promise," 27 June 2017 And now the Celtics stagger forward without their leading scorer and best playmaker into Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cavs, who throttled them twice in Boston and have won 13 straight postseason games. — Tom Withers, courant.com, "Bradley Hits Last-second Shot, Celtics Stun Cavs, 111-108," 21 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stagger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for stagger
stagger
verb
English Language Learners Definition of stagger
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to move or cause (someone) to move unsteadily from side to side
: to shock or surprise (someone) very much
: to arrange (things) in a series of different positions or times