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
• rock

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

In one final photo, DDG hilariously zoomed up on a picture of Halo, who looks wide-eyed and stunned by the world around him. —Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 23 July 2024

The way a particular absinthe can interact with a cocktail can stun you. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 20 July 2024

The discovery that Menendez owned a hoard of gold bars stunned many people. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 16 July 2024

And thanks to social media, such theories are able to reach huge audiences with an ease that would have stunned a 1970s JFK conspiracy buff. —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 16 July 2024

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

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