STUNTED Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

stunted 1 of 2

adjective

as in dwarf

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stunted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stunt

as in suppressed

to hold back the normal growth of unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree

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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 stunted

Adjective

Mexico’s stability was more important than challenging its stunted democracy, prickly nationalism, and closed economy. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Scientists are only just starting to get a handle on the disease, which can lead to seizures, stunted physical growth, language challenges, and intellectual disability. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 This includes high rates of females not laying clutches, low provisioning rates, emaciated chicks with stunted development and other factors. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 As suspected, neurons exposed to post-herpetic neuralgia exosomes were significantly stunted and unable to form a strong network with other neurons. — Andrew Bubak, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 Still, the emotionally stunted John claims not to harbor ill feelings toward Hal, though this is most certainly challenged by the end of the episode. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 According to Hancock, underfertilized petunias classically experience slow or stunted growth, chlorotic (pale) growth, and reduced flowering. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 31 Aug. 2026 There were no fences or other land-ownership demarcations on the steep slope covered by grass, stunted junipers, and large rocks. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 Doctors who reviewed her death records said her stunted growth would have been obvious earlier in childhood, when her tumor could have been diagnosed and treated. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

The timing of Isaias is an exception to this trend, due to the current super El Niño weather pattern, which stunted Atlantic hurricane formations through September while cranking out storms throughout the Pacific region. — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Since the 1970s, about 150,000 combatants and civilians have died in the southern Philippines, while development was stunted in the country’s poorest region. — Teresa Cerojano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Ho-seok has been laid off from his job following an incident that has stunted his life and his ability to communicate with his family. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026 Just a few hours from the Arctic Ocean, the exercise helps the Miami native narrow his view to suit a world stunted by extreme cold. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 At 6-months-old, she was diagnosed with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that gradually took away her vision, stunted her growth and caused joint and muscle pain. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 VanSumeren played both positions with the Eagles over three seasons, although injuries have stunted his evolution. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 8 July 2026 This lack of competition has stunted the organizational capacity of both the Democratic and Republican Parties, rendering them hollow and unable to cultivate, train, or support a pipeline of young candidates. — Peter Gosselin, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 There were high hopes for the 2024 Big East Conference Player of the Year when former general manager Monte McNair drafted Carter, but his growth was stunted by a shoulder injury and a logjam in Sacramento’s backcourt. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunted

Adjective

Bare-root fruit trees that produce fruit the fastest are typically dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
Look for citrus varieties grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock so the citrus tree stays small and doesn’t need to be pruned or re-potted as often.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Definition of dwarf

Adjective

The project was on the side of a scrubby hill that looked nothing like the steep timber and chaparral where California’s destructive fires burn and the insurance market has fled.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
The brick pathway at my feet passed through a small ornamental fence, crossed some scrubby grass, then ran up the steps to the Helen Keller Birthplace at Ivy Green.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of scrubby

Verb

Wa Shin Bay Village—a tiny residential neighborhood dwarfed by its glamorous neighbors of Back Bay and South End—can have a bad food rap among locals; but no longer.

— Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
This was not the case for one—an egregious offering that dwarfed all the others, like a cuckoo in a wren’s nest.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of dwarfed

Adjective

Commonly associated with environmental risk factors such as smoking or exposure to hazards like radon, the rare but aggressively fast-growing condition gets its name from the unusually tiny appearance of its cells.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
These tiny architects of the deep sea actively regulate microbial populations.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tiny

Verb

Nonetheless, the past year has, at the least, halted the gangs’ advance in the capital, according to one assessment.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
To cover the cost increases out of pocket, trucking firms have drawn down savings, redirected spending away from maintenance, or halted purchases of fuel-efficient trucks.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of halted

Adjective

To achieve a similar impact, Johnson appears to be wearing a muscular silicone suit over his 6-foot-5 frame, but the extra padding just makes his head look puny.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
For example, in another suit litigating the effects of social media on children, a jury settled in March on the comparatively puny figure of $6 million, distributed between Meta and YouTube.

— David B Mcgarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026

Definition of puny

Verb

The weather service canceled the flood watch for nearly all the Kansas City forecast area because the threat of additional heavy rain had diminished.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
One can see this when a paint’s color appears diminished and faded.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminished

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“Stunted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunted. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stunted

adjective

verb

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