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

The men on the rock had ripped clothes and dirty faces, seemingly stunned that they had been found alive. —Nick Duffy, NBC news, 29 May 2026

They were stunned to discover thriving ecosystems made up of millimeter-sized organisms clinging to exposed rock surfaces in near-freezing darkness. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026

Laura Dern looks amazing in marabou feathers, Marissa Long stuns in sequins, and Chris Messina is also there. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2026

Usyk stunned him with a vicious uppercut late in the 11th round and dropped Verhoeven. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 27 May 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