stunt

1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈstənt 

stunted; stunting; stunts

transitive verb

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

stuntedness noun

stunt

2 of 5

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 5

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 5

verb (2)

stunted; stunting; stunts

intransitive verb

: to perform or engage in a stunt

stuntedness

5 of 5

noun (3)

stunt·​ed·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being stunted

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

After studying the game, Miami’s coaches believe the issues that stunted their second-half offense are correctable going forward. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Another clever stunt that Althoff pulled off on the The Really Good Podcast was that she was involved in a slight-of-hand brand stunt with L’Oreal’s CeraVe. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

Despite his sandwich stunt, Young — who died in 2018 — went on to become the first astronaut to fly to space six times, the first person to circle the Moon alone and the first Space Shuttle mission commander. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Once the group continued south on the Berlin Turnpike, a number of riders were allegedly seen continuing dangerous stunts and leaving the road, riding across grassy areas of businesses, including CT Beverage Mart and Savers, Amalfi said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 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)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1874, 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