Stagger: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing someone walking unsteadily, often due to weakness, impact, or intoxication.

• After being hit, he managed to stagger back to his feet
• She staggered home after the party

Use when someone trips or loses their footing, often momentarily or accidentally.

• She stumbled over a branch and nearly fell
• He stumbled when he saw the uneven pavement

Best for sudden, awkward movements, often implying an uncontrolled or jerky motion.

• The car lurched forward when the driver hit the brakes
• He felt the boat lurch beneath his feet

Suitable for gentle, back-and-forth or side-to-side movements, often in response to wind or balance loss.

• The trees swayed in the wind
• She swayed to the rhythm of the music

Typically used to describe a physical reaction to something overwhelming, such as shock or surprise. It can also describe a situation where someone has difficulty maintaining balance or composure.

• She was so overwhelmed by the news that she staggered back a few steps.
• The boxer staggered after taking a heavy punch.

Often used to describe a feeling of great surprise or amazement at something unexpected or impressive.

• His talent for playing the piano at such a young age will astonish you.
• The magician's tricks always astonish the audience.

Best used when referring to an intense and sudden feeling of surprise or disbelief, usually in a negative or alarming context.

• The announcement of the company's closure came as a shock to everyone.
• She was shocked to hear about the accident.

Generally used to describe a reaction to something unexpected that could be either positive or negative.

• I hope my birthday gift will surprise you in a good way.
• It was a surprise to see her at the party.

Use 'stagger' when describing an unsteady or uneven movement, often in relation to people or objects. It can also refer to arranging events or tasks at different times to avoid overlap.

• 'He began to stagger after drinking too much
• ' 'The classes were staggered throughout the day to prevent overcrowding
• '

Use 'sequence' to describe things that follow in a specific order or arrangement, often related to events, steps, or numbers.

• 'The sequence of events led to a surprising outcome
• ' 'You need to follow the proper sequence to solve the problem
• '

Use 'interval' when talking about a specific amount of time or space between two points, events, or objects. Often used in scheduling and event planning.

• 'There was a ten-minute interval between the acts
• ' 'She practices at regular intervals to improve her skills
• '

Use 'spacing' when talking about the physical distance between objects or elements. Often used in design, typography, and layout contexts.

• 'Proper spacing between letters makes the text more readable
• ' 'The plants should be spaced evenly for optimal growth
• '