stun

verb
\ ˈstən How to pronounce stun (audio) \
stunned; stunning

Definition of stun

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

noun

Definition of stun (Entry 2 of 2)

: the effect of something that stuns : shock

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Synonyms for stun

Synonyms: Verb

daze, rock

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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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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Treble winners Manchester City have unveiled a stunning one-off kit to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary ahead of their Community Shield final against Liverpool. SI.com, "Manchester City Release Stunning 125-Year Anniversary Kit Ahead of Community Shield Final," 1 Aug. 2019 Saturday’s masquerade may be a costume maker’s nirvana, but every day at the Con is chockablock with gonzo wardrobes, seductive graphics, stunning animations. Tribune News Service, cleveland.com, "50 years of San Diego Comic-Con: What we’ve gained and lost in five decades of pop culture celebrations (See latest photos)," 18 July 2019 Saturday’s masquerade may be a costume maker’s nirvana, but every day at the Con is chockablock with gonzo wardrobes, seductive graphics, stunning animations. San Diego Union-Tribune, "50 Shades of Comic-Con: What we’ve gained and lost in five decades of pop culture celebrations," 14 July 2019 But only Life of Pi takes that primal fear and weaves a visually-stunning fantasy about a boy trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger. Elena Nicolaou, refinery29.com, "These Terrifying Movies Will Ruin Your Beach Vacation," 15 June 2019 Carmela Cardama Baez’s stunning second-place finish in the final of the 10,000 meters highlighted Oregon’s second day of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Thursday at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. oregonlive.com, "Carmela Cardama Baez finishes 2nd in 10K, best by UO woman since 1984, at NCAA Outdoor Track Championships," 6 June 2019 Today marks one full year since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal wedding—and to celebrate, the couple are sharing stunning new photos with their fans. Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Share New Wedding Photos on Instagram to Celebrate Their Anniversary," 19 May 2019 Ataullah Guerra scored off a corner kick in the 79th minute, and Dante Marini added another just a minute later as Charleston stunned Hartford with a 3-2 victory on Saturday at Dillon Stadium. Jonah Dylan, courant.com, "Hartford Athletic stunned by Charleston Battery in 3-2 home loss," 21 July 2019 For the special occasion, Kate Middleton looked stunning in Stella McCartney. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Wore the Chicest Stella McCartney Dress to Archie's Christening," 6 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Blachowicz stuns Rockhold with a punch and throws a head kick right at the close of the round. Todd Martin, latimes.com, "UFC 239: Jon Jones defeats Thiago Santos; Nunes stops Holm," 6 July 2019 The Circle of Life has never looked so good: Director Jon Favreau’s visually wowing update stuns the senses with photorealistic animals and an immersive African landscape, all courtesy of game-changing, incredible visual effects. Brian Truitt, Detroit Free Press, "Visual majesty elevates live-action ‘Lion King’," 1 July 2019 Creighton’s go-ahead rally in the top of the ninth stuns the Wolverines. oregonlive.com, "Hometown hero Adley Rutschman overshadows today’s Corvallis Regional: Diamonds & Dust," 3 June 2019 Getty Images Ciara, my sis in my head, stuns on the regular. Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "I Live for Ciara's Larger Than Life Afro at the 2019 Met Gala," 7 May 2019 But don’t expect Captain Kirk ordering phasers set on stun, Battlestar Galactica or ray guns blazing in orbit in the near future, space experts said. Washington Post, "Star Wars? President Trump proposes military space force," 13 Mar. 2018 Meghan stuns in a double-breasted button up dress, while Harry opted for a gray suit. Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "See the First Photos of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's New Royal Baby!," 8 May 2019 According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a teenage girl named Dnigma Howard is accusing the police, officers, and schools of violating her civil rights after she was allegedly beaten, dragged down a set of stairs, stun-gunned, and stepped on by two cops. Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Chicago Police Are Facing a Lawsuit After Video Showed Officers Beating 16-Year-Old Dnigma Howard," 12 Apr. 2019 Again, Adut stuns while twirling effortlessly in this Dior dress. Emily Farra, Vogue, "What Makes a Great Backstage Photo? Vogue’s Corey Tenold Shares His 10 Favorite Moments of the Season," 14 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stun.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of stun

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1727, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for stun

Verb

Middle English stonen, stunen, from Anglo-French estoner — more at astonish

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More Definitions for stun

stun

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stun

: to surprise or upset (someone) very much
: to cause (someone) to suddenly become very confused, very dizzy, or unconscious

stun

verb
\ ˈstən How to pronounce stun (audio) \
stunned; stunning

Kids Definition of stun

1 : to make dizzy or senseless by or as if by a blow The bird laid stunned after crashing into the window.
2 : to affect with shock or confusion : fill with disbelief He was stunned by the news.
\ ˈstən How to pronounce stun (audio) \
stunned; stunning

Medical Definition of stun

: to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow

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