Meaning & use

staggering

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

so great, surprising, or shocking as to be difficult to believe

See it in a sentence

The company reported a staggering loss of ten million dollars in a single quarter.

It's staggering how much plastic waste ends up in the ocean each year.

A note on using this word

Usually used to intensify a number, amount, or fact that seems almost too large or shocking to accept; also literally describes walking unsteadily.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

unremarkablemodest

Another way to use it

2. adjective

walking or moving unsteadily, as if about to fall

He came staggering out of the boat after the rough crossing.

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