staggering

[stag-uh-ring]

adjective

1. tending to stagger or overwhelm.

   a staggering amount of money required in the initial investment.

ˈstaggering

/ ˈstæɡərɪŋ /

adjective

1. astounding or overwhelming; shocking

   a staggering increase in demand

Other Word Forms

• staggeringly adverb
• unstaggering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of staggering¹

First recorded in 1555–65; stagger + -ing ²

Example Sentences

They have crashed back to earth with such staggering force that the only thing left of their championship aspirations is a smoldering crater in the ground.

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At the heart of the giant galaxy M87 lies the black hole M87*, which contains a staggering six and a half billion solar masses and spins rapidly on its axis.

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A staggering 10 goals have been scored after the 80th-minute mark in Liverpool's 11 games so far this season.

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"The sheer scale of executions in Iran is staggering and represents a grave violation of the right to life," the five special rapporteurs warned in a joint statement.

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TikTok filed multiple unsuccessful legal challenges against the law, calling it "unconstitutional" and claiming it would have a "staggering" impact on free speech by censoring its US users.

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Related Words

• amazing 
• astonishing 
• astounding 
• mind-boggling 
• shocking 
• stunning