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

Fashion deals are aplenty, including brands we were stunned to find in the outlet. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Nov. 2025

The initial proposal stunned diplomats for including concessions to Moscow, such as limits on Ukraine’s military and territorial handovers in Donbas. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Larry is stunned but instinctively generous. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 26 Nov. 2025

Several royal experts said they were stunned to learn that the Duchess of Sussex allegedly had a staffer formally announce her by her royal title before a Harper’s Bazaar cover interview. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 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