STAGGER Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

stagger

verb

ˈsta-gər

Definition of stagger

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

Relevance

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stagger Employees worked 32 hours across four days, with days off staggered to preserve Monday-through-Friday coverage. — Joe Manok, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The talent is still there, but Herbert has staggered to a dismal start. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 The new board terms will be staggered, with members serving either two- or four-year terms. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The offshore footprint will be staggered with a limited bow in Mexico, UK and Australia and other territories like France, Netherlands, Korea and Japan going later. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger

Verb

The insurrection drew immediate and obvious parallels to the United States, which, during much of the past decade, has lurched alongside Brazil through a strange hall of mirrors.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Hop on the #6 double-decker from Central to Stanley beach, which lurches around Hong Kong Island's mountainous southern South China Sea coast (sit upstairs on the right-hand side).

— Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

The Giants hope the more mobile McCarthy can spark a struggling running game that has faltered with Winston at quarterback.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Analysts noted that the brand was bucking trends among Chinese consumers, where most luxury brands have been faltering this quarter.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of falter

Verb

Like a lot of us who tottered into consciousness in the second half of the 20th century, Les Claypool grew up with cartoons from the family television beaming into his retinas.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
Outside, a gull tottered to the window and tapped its beak against the glass.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of totter

Verb

With more than seven million people packed into over 9,000 high-rises, efficiency is key here, and people will judge you for holding up lines, hesitating with your Octopus card, or lingering over your dim sum table while others are waiting.

— Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
So as facts and circumstances change, taxpayers should not hesitate to notify the IRS to avoid defaults and payment failures.

— Charles T. Almond III, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

Eller took a long pass from Aaron Ekblad just inside the blue line, weaved down the right side and ripped a wrist shot from the circle past Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
The Chiefs had no answer for Smith-Njigba, who bobbed and weaved his way through the defense for nine catches, 150 yards and a touchdown.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

There was upset after upset, and a few teams were on the verge of stumbling as well.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Next week will bring major risks for a stock market that's trying to find its footing as the AI trade continues to stumble, with several megacap earnings, a Federal Reserve meeting and a key inflation report in store.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

Country music star Randy Houser spends a lot of his life on the road, but when the shows are over and the tour bus stops rolling, there's usually one thing on his mind.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
For a double crust, roll the bottom crust over the top crust, sealing the filling inside.

— Melissa Weller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of roll

Browse Nearby Words

stages

stagger

staggered

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Style

“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stagger

verb

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