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
Haslet Eaton stuns Keller Central Haslet Eaton upset Keller Central on Thursday, earning a 28-27 victory in a thriller. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2026 Eddie Jurado, the general manager at Miss B’s Coconut Club, told NBC San Diego that he and other staff members had been stunned to learn of Williams’ true identity. — Breaking News, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Two weeks later, back in Amsterdam, he was stunned to see another patient with strong similarities. — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 Drinkwitz has become emotional when talking about Jones’ condition, stunned that a former high school football and basketball star was in need of life-saving procedures in such a short amount of time. — Pj Green october 8, Kansas City Star, 8 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 14 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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