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

Derived Forms

• ˈstaggeringly, adverb

Other Words From

• stagger·ing·ly adverb
• un·stagger·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of staggering¹

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

Example Sentences

Residents in the foothills above Camarillo are grappling with scenes of staggering destruction after the Mountain fire flattened scores of homes.

From Los Angeles Times

That this caper results in a staggering amount of collateral damage — I mean, he shoots a lot of innocent people — makes him immediately unlikable, which I don’t think is the point; if anything, there’s some attempt to humanize him, give him some depth.

From Los Angeles Times

The production is built around Scherzinger’s icon status and staggering musical gifts.

From Los Angeles Times

The Tainted Blood group, which represents hundreds of survivors and their families, says the letter shows a "staggering level of awareness and detail" about the dangers.

From BBC

He is expected to trigger a bidding war between the New York Yankees and Mets that might push his price tag upward of $700 million, a staggering amount that even the deep-pocketed Dodgers, who signed Ohtani to a heavily-deferred deal last winter, might be wary of spending again.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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