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staggering

American  
[stag-uh-ring] / ˈstæg ə rɪŋ /

adjective

  1. tending to stagger or overwhelm.

    a staggering amount of money required in the initial investment.
ˈstaggering British  
/ ˈstæɡərɪŋ /

adjective

  1. astounding or overwhelming; shocking

    a staggering increase in demand
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • staggeringly adverb
  • unstaggering adjective

Etymology

Origin of staggering

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

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.

The country broke ground on more than 550 infrastructure projects last year alone in a staggering spree that will cost around $200 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The asking price a couple of days earlier was a staggering $8,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Unsurprisingly given their staggering attacking form this campaign, we're doubling up on Bayern Munich wingers - like most Bundesliga defences.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Yet nothing compares to the news that he sued his parents this week on the eve of opening day, accusing them of draining staggering amounts of his money from four financial accounts they created.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Gelifen came staggering up the steps from the cabin, peeping in terror.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.