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

Relevance
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 The unusual attack Monday night stunned the elite principality on the Mediterranean Coast. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 Tabitha and Jade flee into the tunnels after an earthquake temporarily stuns the monsters, and Jade and his crew race to their vehicles to outrun the monsters that have come to the surface under the cover of this false night. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 On Sunday, Lindsay Lohan, 39, stunned in a vintage Chanel micro-suit from 1995, which featured a cropped jacket and a black mini skirt. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 28 June 2026 The South American side stunned four-time world champions Germany 4-3 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 following extra time on Monday, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. — Reuters, NBC news, 30 June 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
  • Fatu was dazed and Reigns speared him through the table.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
  • When the Knicks won, Berns was dazed.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Definition of daze
Verb
  • For the majority of viewers who held out for the subscription streaming release rather than paying to rent or purchase, this news is amaze, amaze, amaze.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • On the final day of Pride Month, here’s one final bonkers gay story to delight and amaze you.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • Once injected with venom, the prey is paralyzed and drained of bodily fluids.
    — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
  • The storm paralyzed the East Coast from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine and even some parts of Canada from March 12 to March 14.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of paralyze
Verb
  • But perhaps Modrić and Croatia can surprise everyone and make one more run.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Ahead of the film’s world premiere at Karlovy Vary, Mack talked to THR about the inspiration for A Happy Family, wanting to surprise audiences and create debate, and why complexity and hope are such key ingredients.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • The following year, she was also seen rocking a cap branded with Swift from her 1989 era, as well as a pair of shorts repping The Life of a Showgirl.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • The allegations against Platner are the latest in a string of accusations of malfeasance, which have rocked Democrats who are eager to defeat Collins.
    — Garrett Downs,Justin Papp, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of rock
Verb
  • The attack shocked Monaco, a coastal playground for the rich and famous known for its tax-friendly incentives, royal family and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • The exact same thing happened back in 2018 when Hirving Lozano shocked Germany.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • Against Cardinals’ starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore, the Braves mustered just one hit and one run through five innings of an eventual 5-3 loss.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Thomas had hit a leadoff double, but Michael Massey, Salvador Perez and John Rave failed to drive him in.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
    — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

stumpy
stun
stung
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stun. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on stun

Nglish: Translation of stun for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All