stagger
verb (used without object)
to walk, move, or stand unsteadily.
had been staggering
-
past perfect progressiveof stagger.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Agents said there had been "staggering" levels of competition in areas with easy transport access to bigger cities.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2024
Slowly but surely, Lake Charles had been staggering back.
From New York Times ● May 19, 2021
He had been staggering when he was admitted in early October, and he had hiccupped for days, a sign strongly associated with death from Ebola at the center.
From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2014
Even the doughtiest presidential aides conceded that the blows from Republican leaders and conservative newspapers had been staggering for the President.
From Time Magazine Archive
The costs of the searches had been staggering, with the English government spending more than fifty million dollars in today’s money.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
