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

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

From BBC

"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.

From BBC

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.

From BBC

Ordinary skilled workers, by contrast, now face a staggering application fee just to apply for the same H-1B status they’ve used for decades.

From Salon

After bringing her novels to the screen, including “To All the Boys” and its spin-off “XO, Kitty” on Netflix and now her powerhouse “Summer” series, the popularity of her adaptations has been staggering.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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