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
• 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

Charlotte had stunned the Canucks with a goal at the 8:22 mark of the first period, and the game was tied 1-1 entering the final 20 minutes. —Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025

The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025

The secrecy stunned players and infuriated most of them who turned down the Saudi money to stay loyal to the tour. —Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

The confession stunned Bibb into slack-jawed silence, while immediate groans of shock and horror could be heard from the audience offscreen. —Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 17 June 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