stunning 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstə-niŋ How to pronounce stunning (audio)
Definition of stunningnext
1
as in amazing
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness we suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of the bottom-ranked team in the division

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wonderful
causing wonder or astonishment the stunning beauty of the star-filled sky on a cloudless night

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in beautiful
very pleasing to look at how stunning the performers look in their costumes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stunning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stun
1
as in dazing
to make senseless or dizzy by a blow a powerful uppercut to the jaw stunned the boxer and sent him crashing to the canvas

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2
as in surprising
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 stunning
Adjective
The 2026 Texas high school football season opened with dramatic performances across the Fort Worth area, from lopsided shutouts to stunning comebacks. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026 In an attempt to make the case against him, Pembrock commits a stunning act of illegality that would immediately have the case thrown out of court but at least provides the film a few moments of suspense. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him. — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunning
  1. amazing
  2. wonderful
  3. beautiful
  4. dazing
  5. surprising
  6. startling
  7. astonishing
  8. lovely
Adjective
  • Nothing has had a life like that record, but it’s given me an amazing life.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Thousands of attendees had descended on the festival grounds, buoyed by—for lack of a better term—amazing vibes, despite temperatures north of 103 degrees.
    — Biz Sherbert, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • The coast on this part of Tuscany is a little wild, but wonderful for swimming, and guests have access to the boat for excursions to nearby islands and morning swims off secret coves.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Gloria lived a full, wonderful life filled with friends and great conversations and worthy causes.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Arguably, the most beautiful version of this trend right now is the love-layers cut.
    — Lucy Binder, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The meltwater pouring off Bråsvellbreen like waterfalls, though breathtakingly beautiful, was another sobering reminder of the consequences of global warming.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of beautiful
Verb
  • Fairview came out throwing haymakers, dazing the Bruins in the early going.
    — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
Definition of dazing
Verb
  • Human beings have an inconvenient habit of surprising us, and sometimes that surprise is the finding that matters most.
    — Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • What went down Dickens shared a video of himself surprising the Nature Gurlz, a beloved group of women who meet up weekday mornings to bask in the great outdoors.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • The Warren Court’s relative respect for federal laws was thus noticeable but not startling.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Most notable were the startling bear signs, alerting us to the presence of Asian black bears in the area.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • The victory extended trainer Graham Motion’s astonishing summer stakes streak at Del Mar to eight wins since 2022.
    — Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Correspondent Lee Cowan looks back at the astonishing career of the queen of country music.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of astonishing
Adjective
  • The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • McGraw gave a lovely tribute to Parton via social media this week.
    — David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of lovely

Browse Nearby Words

stunners
stunning
stunningly
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Cite this Entry

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

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