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 of stun

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

Haaland was the hero again in the last 16, scoring twice late on as the Norwegians stunned five-time World Cup winners Brazil 2-1. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

The Atlas Lions are the lone African team left in the competition and are looking to stun the footballing world with a takedown blow of Didier Deschamps’ 2018 World Cup champions in this revenge match. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 9 July 2026

We were stunned to find popular brands hiding in the overstock section, including Lee, Levi’s, Levoit, and more. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026

Zendaya stuns with a gold headpiece and archival Givenchy dress from 1997 ahead of a special event for The Odyssey in Paris on July 7. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

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