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 The musician Neil Gust, Elliott’s close friend for years, remembers being staggered by it. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 The funding document stated that the funding would be staggered and tied to different stages of the project, such as the official announcement of filming in Madrid, the start of shooting, and that Madrid had to appear in the film’s title. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026 Another argument favors sacrificing the long summer break for more frequent shorter breaks staggered throughout the school year. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026 Instead, stagger your beach stuff a little so everyone can enjoy their view. — John Natale, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagger

Verb

The airplane lurched skyward, and Elwood was strapped in for the ride.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Maresca, though, does not appear to have much taste for the Premier League’s lurch towards balls into the box.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
This leadership vacuum raises serious questions about the agencies' ability to craft meaningful crypto rules, especially if the Senate's Clarity Act vote falters.

— Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 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

In a women's cooperative in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, members weave wedding blankets, and at a workshop in Bagru in India, artisans pound block prints onto fabric.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Novotny recently created the look for Julia Fox, weaving chestnut tones through the deeper base for a soft, lived-in effect.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

Most critics of judicial supremacy stumble over the fact that a strong Court sometimes benefits their side.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Analysis from Zeki Data shows that where OpenAI and Anthropic are making gains in the AI talent market, Google DeepMind (and to some extent Meta) are stumbling.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

The Sequoits made the defensive adjustment, however, hit some big plays with running back Gavin Stone and rolled to a 34-21 nonconference victory at Lake Zurich on Friday.

— Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Can this connection roll with an unforeseen professional development that’s unfolding?

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of roll

Verb

For nearly a year and a half, he was shuffled around detention centers in Texas, Arizona, Louisiana and Florida, until arriving in the Alexandria International Airport in mid-August.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
The Yankees continued to shuffle their bullpen on Monday, claiming John Schreiber.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Browse Nearby Words

stages

stagger

staggered

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“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagger. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stagger

verb

Example Sentences

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