stun

1 of 2

verb

ˈstən 

stunned; stunning

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

Verb

• daze
• paralyze
• rock
• hit

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Watch this soon-to-be bride be stunned by an elaborate surprise proposal! —Allison Moses, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025

Jason Miller/Getty Images Mailata was admittedly stunned by what Garrett was bringing to the table throughout the week. —Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

But last month, the Justice Department and FBI stunned right-wing Epstein truthers with a short memo declaring that there was no evidence of a client list, nor that Epstein was murdered as part of a massive cover-up. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025

But MacDonald said he was stunned at Stribling’s recent tactics. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing stun

• stun grenade
• stun gun

Rhymes for stun

• bun
• done
• dun
• fun
• gun
• hun
• jun
• none
• nun
• one
• pun
• run

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 

stunned; stunning

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