STAGGERING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does staggering mean? 

• STAGGERING (adjective)
  The adjective STAGGERING has 1 sense:

1. so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm

  Familiarity information: STAGGERING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STAGGERING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

So surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm

Synonyms:

astonishing; astounding; staggering; stupefying

Context example:

the figure inside the boucle dress was stupefying

Similar:

impressive (making a strong or vivid impression)

 Context examples 

A new paper reports a staggering degree of biological diversity that defies contemporary definitions of microbial species and illuminates reasons behind challenges in metagenomic studies.

(Study analyzing cells' blueprints reveals new patterns in the global distribution and diversity of ocean microbes, National Science Foundation)

An elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out at a side door.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

When I turned around, a moment later, I saw the cabin-boy staggering to his feet.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Despite the staggering distances to other planetary systems, in recent years researchers have begun to develop techniques for collecting spectra of exoplanets.

(Sunsets on Titan reveal the complexity of hazy exoplanets, NASA)

"Sub-Antarctic mode water exerts a staggering level of control on much of the global ocean," Balch said.

(Study reveals changing patterns in globally important algae, National Science Foundation)

“You do me proud,” cried the fellow, staggering to his feet and pulling at his coat.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Alleyne, staggering to the side, was about to hurl himself after him, but Hordle John dragged him back by the girdle.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Both the guards who held Summerlee were down, and he was staggering about like a drunken man in his amazement, unable to realize that he was a free man.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Shall I ever forget how the crack speaker walked off from me before I began, and left my imbecile pencil staggering about the paper as if it were in a fit!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The next moment his nose was laid open, and he was staggering backward away from the meat.

(White Fang, by Jack London)