1. To move or to stand unsteadily, as if under a great weight; to totter: "After he sprained his ankle, he was barely able to stagger back to the bench in the park."

"The bag of wheat was so heavy, the stevedore had to stagger when he picked it up."

2. To arrange in alternating or overlapping time periods: "Next week, the administration will stagger the work shifts of the nurses."

1. To stray or to fall behind: "When the class goes for a walk, the teacher notices that there is always at least one pupil who will straggle behind."
2. To proceed or to spread out in a scattered or irregular group: "The search party will straggle and scatter to check the tall grass for the missing expensive bracelet."