stun

1 of 2

verb

ˈstən How to pronounce stun (audio)
stunned; stunning
Synonyms of stunnext

transitive verb

1
: to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow : daze
2
: to shock with noise
3
: to overcome especially with paralyzing astonishment or disbelief

stun

2 of 2

noun

: the effect of something that stuns : shock

Synonyms of stun

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Examples of stun in a Sentence

Verb The angry criticism stunned them. His old friends were stunned at his success. She sat in stunned disbelief. There was a stunned expression on her face. weapons that can stun people temporarily
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Verb
View gallery - 7 images Chinese automotive giant BYD, now the world’s biggest electric vehicle (EV) maker, stunned this week’s Paris Motor Show with its grandest and most technologically impressive vehicle yet. — New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026 The man was arrested and sent to prison while Ali was in college, which left the actor stunned. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 The 2025 trophy was held by Miguel Rojas, whose home run stunned the Toronto Blue Jays. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Richard Sherman, whose been known to go on a rant or two over his career, was stunned. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stun

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English stonen, stunen, from Anglo-French estoner — more at astonish

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stun was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing stun

Rhymes for stun

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Browse Nearby Words

stums
stun
Stundism
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Cite this Entry

“Stun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stun. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stun

verb
ˈstən
stunned; stunning
1
: to make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
2
: to overcome with astonishment or disbelief
stunned by the news
stun noun

Medical Definition

stun

transitive verb
ˈstən How to pronounce stun (audio)
stunned; stunning
: to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow
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