as in overwhelmed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lurched
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
2
as in hesitated
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
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Recent Examples of staggered
Johnny Dodd, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
The collapse of the Assad Regime in Syria is the latest in a series of political and military defeats that have staggered the Kremlin.
—Daniel Markind, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Topline The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average staggered to its lengthiest stretch of declines since 1974, a rut marked Wednesday by a sharp broader selloff tied to a hawkish update from the Federal Reserve regarding further interest rate cuts.
—Derek Saul, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Their successors would serve terms that would be staggered, with one term expiring every two years.
—Tobi Raji The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Spending and the debt scaled new heights after COVID struck and the economy staggered.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024
Parachute's Eco Comfort mattress is discounted from its usual $2,400 to $1,680 (for the queen-size), with other bed size savings staggered accordingly.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Dec. 2024
Taleb staggered El Hazoume with a combination, which forced his foe to the fence.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
More than a few of our out-of-town guests staggered around the ceremony, bleary eyed, having tossed and turned the previous night with headaches.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
Initially convinced that Sheri had been abducted, the two staggered onto a nearby highway and flagged down a car for help.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
The collapse of the Assad Regime in Syria is the latest in a series of political and military defeats that have staggered the Kremlin.
—Daniel Markind, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Topline The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average staggered to its lengthiest stretch of declines since 1974, a rut marked Wednesday by a sharp broader selloff tied to a hawkish update from the Federal Reserve regarding further interest rate cuts.
—Derek Saul, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Their successors would serve terms that would be staggered, with one term expiring every two years.
—Tobi Raji The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Spending and the debt scaled new heights after COVID struck and the economy staggered.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024
Parachute's Eco Comfort mattress is discounted from its usual $2,400 to $1,680 (for the queen-size), with other bed size savings staggered accordingly.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Dec. 2024
Taleb staggered El Hazoume with a combination, which forced his foe to the fence.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
More than a few of our out-of-town guests staggered around the ceremony, bleary eyed, having tossed and turned the previous night with headaches.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staggered
Adjective
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Because most shelters in the country are currently overwhelmed with new animals, those who don't get adopted fairly quickly are often at risk of being euthanized to free up some space in the facilities.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
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Reflecting on their wedding, Alessandra and Andrea are overwhelmed with gratitude.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Shelter volunteer Julie Saraceno shared the bittersweet moment Russell hesitated at the shelter's front door, seemingly realizing his adventure had come to an end.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
28 Dec. 2024
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Bangladeshis haven’t hesitated to weigh in, writing hundreds of emails saying that anyone running for office must meet certain educational thresholds.—
Saif Hasnat Atul Loke,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Alani, a French journalist, paints a haunting picture of modern Iraq through the eyes of its bewildered children.—
Lisa Anderson,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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The snap captures Bailey a bewildered expression on her face.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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English speakers, despite their greater familiarity with the odors, faltered.—
Manvir Singh,
The New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2024
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Beyond Big Pharma As obesity drug stocks faltered, the other side of the weight loss drug trade has rebounded.—
Christina Cheddar Berk,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Stop Scripting Development Employees need to grow into opportunities, not be shuffled into roles.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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For more on Marvel Rivals, our in-depth guides cover the best Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist characters, which are due to get shuffled thanks to the arrival of the new heroes.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Chiara applies lessons from her father’s art to her own career — testing the bemused tolerance of her famous, now aged screen-idol mother.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 Feb. 2025
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Kelly’s rant on X prompted a rather bemused response from the original show’s star, Melissa Gilbert, who played a young version of author Laura Ingalls Wilder on the show, which ran on NBC from 1974 to 1983.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Crosby continued his nearly 20-year assault on the Philadelphia Flyers with a 4-point outburst as the Penguins rolled to a 7-3 victory at PPG Paints Arena in their final game before the Christmas break.—
Josh Yohe,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
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Democrats pressing to streamline the prior authorization process in Medicare Advantage have made some last-minute changes that add cost to the plan and could complicate its chances of being rolled into a year-end health deal.—
Victoria Knight,
Axios,
10 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Staggered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staggered. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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