stunt

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstənt 

stunted; stunting; stunts

transitive verb

: to hinder the normal growth, development, or progress of

stuntedness noun

stunt

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: one (such as an animal) that is stunted

2

: a check in growth

3

: a disease of plants (such as corn) in which dwarfing occurs

stunt

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: an unusual or difficult feat requiring great skill or daring

especially : one performed or undertaken chiefly to gain attention or publicity

2

: a shifting or switching of the positions by defensive players at the line of scrimmage in football to disrupt the opponent's blocking efforts

stunt

4 of 4

verb (2)

stunted; stunting; stunts

intransitive verb

: to perform or engage in a stunt

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• halt
• suppress
• stop
• block
• diminish
• shrink
• catch

Noun (2)

• feat

Examples of stunt in a Sentence

Verb (1)

unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree

Noun (2)

performs mental stunts, such as pronouncing words backwards as soon as you say them

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But here’s the kicker: Perry, who typically assembles international dream teams of stunt specialists, has gone fully local this time around — handpicking an entirely Indian crew after witnessing their chops firsthand. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2025

On the initial third-down snap of the game, the Bears defensive line tried a stunt, and Suamataia and Josh Simmons took care of that with ease. —Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2025

Verb

Insects and plant diseases can stunt tomato plant growth and reduce flowering. —Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2025

Hollywood is littered with cautionary tales of child actors whose natural development is stunted, leaving them unable to ride the physical and emotional chaos that follows. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

English dialect stunt stubborn, stunted, abrupt, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse stuttr scant — more at stint entry 1

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1583, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1917, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stunt

• publicity stunt
• pull a stunt
• stunt double

Rhymes for stunt

• blunt
• brunt
• bunt
• front
• grunt
• shunt
• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt

Kids Definition

stunt

1 of 3 verb

ˈstənt 

: to hold back the normal growth, development, or progress of

stunt

2 of 3 noun

: an unusual or difficult feat performed or attempted usually to gain attention or publicity

stunt

3 of 3 verb

: to perform stunts

Etymology

Verb

from a dialect word stunt "stubborn, abrupt, stunted," probably of Scandinavian origin

Noun

origin unknown

Medical Definition

stunt

transitive verb

ˈstənt 

: to hinder the normal growth, development, or progress of

an emotionally stunted child