staggering

adjective

stag·​ger·​ing ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ 

: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming

a staggering feat

staggering medical bills

staggeringly adverb

Synonyms

• amazing
• astonishing
• astounding
• awesome
• awful
• eye-opening
• fabulous
• marvelous
• marvellous
• miraculous
• portentous
• prodigious
• stunning
• stupendous
• sublime
• surprising
• wonderful
• wondrous

Examples of staggering in a Sentence

The storm caused a staggering amount of damage.

the staggering scope of the new construction on campus

Recent Examples on the Web

Reports poured in Sunday night that the 26-year-old superstar had agreed to a contract with the New York Mets worth a staggering $765 million. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

America is in the grip of a housing shortage, with a staggering 4.5 million homes needed to meet demand. —Chris Westfall, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

One was the biggest name in the sport this winter, with superstar slugger Juan Soto reportedly agreeing to a staggering 15-year, $765-million contract with the New York Mets, setting a new MLB record. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Both teams scored a staggering seven touchdowns, combining for 55 points – the most in a half in Big Ten title game history. —Kevin Dotson, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

staggering

adjective

stag·​ger·​ing

: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming

a staggering achievement

staggering medical bills

staggeringly

ˈstag-(ə-)riŋ-lē

adverb