stagger
UK: ˈstaɡə | US: ˈstaɡər
vi. to walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall
vt. to cause someone to feel shocked or overwhelmed
vt. to arrange events or deadlines at uneven intervals
"Stagger" traces back to Old Norse stakra, reflecting the physical act of swaying or reeling. The word evolved in Middle English to describe unsteady walking, later extending metaphorically to emotional or temporal disruption (e.g., "staggered deadlines"). The persistent imagery of imbalance connects its literal and figurative uses.
The exhausted hiker began to stagger after climbing the steep trail.
The news of his resignation staggered the entire team.
We decided to stagger the work shifts to avoid overcrowding.
He took a staggering step backward after the punch.
The company staggered payments to manage cash flow.