stunt

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstənt 

stunted; stunting; stunts

transitive verb

: to hinder the normal growth, development, or progress of

stuntedness noun

stunt

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: one (such as an animal) that is stunted

2

: a check in growth

3

: a disease of plants (such as corn) in which dwarfing occurs

stunt

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: an unusual or difficult feat requiring great skill or daring

especially : one performed or undertaken chiefly to gain attention or publicity

2

: a shifting or switching of the positions by defensive players at the line of scrimmage in football to disrupt the opponent's blocking efforts

stunt

4 of 4

verb (2)

stunted; stunting; stunts

intransitive verb

: to perform or engage in a stunt

Synonyms of stunt

Verb (1)

• halt
• suppress
• stop
• block
• diminish
• shrink
• catch

Noun (2)

• feat

Examples of stunt in a Sentence

Verb (1)

unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree

Noun (2)

performs mental stunts, such as pronouncing words backwards as soon as you say them

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Don’t harvest cilantro that is too small or its growth may be stunted and leaves may lack flavor. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026

If the Mavericks are going to mostly stink in Flagg’s rookie season and perhaps not get much better right away next year, is this stunting his NBA growth in any way? —Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026

Noun

Ideas like Get Lost, Blink, Bring It Back, and later the Feelings Engine—these were not stunts. —Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

The Patriots will likely come at Stidham with disguised blitzes, nonstop stunts, defensive linemen dropping into passing lanes and an array of looks. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

English dialect stunt stubborn, stunted, abrupt, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse stuttr scant — more at stint entry 1

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1583, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1917, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stunt

• publicity stunt
• pull a stunt
• stunt double

Rhymes for stunt

• blunt
• brunt
• bunt
• front
• grunt
• shunt
• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt

Kids Definition

stunt

1 of 3 verb

ˈstənt 

: to hold back the normal growth, development, or progress of

stunt

2 of 3 noun

: an unusual or difficult feat performed or attempted usually to gain attention or publicity

stunt

3 of 3 verb

: to perform stunts

Etymology

Verb

from a dialect word stunt "stubborn, abrupt, stunted," probably of Scandinavian origin

Noun

origin unknown

Medical Definition

stunt

transitive verb

ˈstənt 

: to hinder the normal growth, development, or progress of

an emotionally stunted child