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

Kandi was still stunned that the man who caught her son’s first home run, the man captured in her video, was her husband. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Muller / Platfrm Organizers were stunned with the turnout for the shows, even as their aim was to make this year’s RSEO the biggest yet. — Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The lakefront land where Winter Park’s historic Merrywood mansion stands was sold to a mystery company for $15 million this week in a move that stunned those trying to save it from demolition. — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Viewers were stunned to learn that Hargitay had long known that Mickey is not her biological parent — Las Vegas entertainer Nelson Sardelli is. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

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