stun

verb

ˈstən How to pronounce stun (audio)
Definition of stunnext
1
as in to daze
to make senseless or dizzy by a blow a powerful uppercut to the jaw stunned the boxer and sent him crashing to the canvas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the news of their boss's termination stunned the staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stun Once broken, the enemy is stunned and vulnerable to a powerful, unique finisher attack. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026 Westlake is coming off an impressive triple OT win over Newbury Park, while Agoura stunned Saugus in Week 0. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026 My cellphone hasn’t stopped pinging with messages from friends who are stunned by the news. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Pinch-hitter Ryan Waldschmidt hit a game-winning, two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to stun the Chicago Cubs 5-4 on Tuesday night. — CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stun
  1. daze
  2. amaze
  3. paralyze
  4. surprise
  5. rock
  6. shock
  7. hit
  8. startle
Verb
  • Despite looking dazed, Guerrero scampered home to tie the game at 1-1.
    — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • When the Knicks won, Berns was dazed.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Definition of daze
Verb
  • But of the many falsehoods told by them, there was one which quite amazed me.
    — Agnes Callard, The New York Review of Books, 18 Aug. 2026
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • Clancy jumped out of a window after strangling the children to death and was paralyzed in the fall.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Clancy is now partially paralyzed due to her suicide attempt and is being held at Tewksbury hospital.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of paralyze
Verb
  • Her care team, however, surprised her by bringing the concert experience to her hospital room.
    — Lauren Pastrana, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Jonathan Adler, a law professor at the College of William & Mary who has written on Roberts’s views on standing, told me he was surprised by Roberts’s vote.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • His music, a blend of charismatic and electrifying punk and post-punk, provided the hard-rocking moment of the entire three-and-a-half-hour evening.
    — David Chiu, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Roan later took to the stage in a purple miniskirt ensemble, rocking a bob.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of rock
Verb
  • Otherwise, considering the Seahawks had only three safeties on their initial 53-man roster, I wouldn’t be shocked if a cornerback entered the lineup.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • When it was released in 2016, Hero shocked the country music establishment in more ways than one.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • Throw it on over a swimsuit before hitting the beach, or accessorize it with a belt and some sunnies for a laid-back, yet polished, ensemble.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The American military undertook fresh strikes against Iran, hitting air defense and radar system targets.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

stumpy
stun
stung
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Cite this Entry

“Stun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stun. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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