staggered

(verb)

ˈstaɡərd

Definitions

To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
To dance precariously upon the edge of gravity, teetering between grace and collapse.

Example: He staggered and almost fell after being hit.
To astonish or deeply shock someone.
To shatter the calm of the soul with the thunderclap of the unforeseen.

Example: She was staggered by the unexpected news.
To arrange events, payments, or working hours so that they do not occur at the same time.
To weave the tapestry of time with deliberate care, creating harmony from chaos.

Example: The company staggered the lunch breaks to avoid overcrowding.

Origin

Late Middle English (in the sense ‘walk with unsteady steps’): alteration of dialect stacker, of Scandinavian origin; related to Danish stakre ‘totter’ and Norwegian dialect stakra ‘push, shove’.

Synonyms

lurch, reel, stumble, amaze, astound

Antonyms

steady, stabilize, organize