STUNTED Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

stunted 1 of 2

adjective

as in dwarf

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stunted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stunt

as in suppressed

to hold back the normal growth of unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stunted

Adjective

Mexico’s stability was more important than challenging its stunted democracy, prickly nationalism, and closed economy. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Scientists are only just starting to get a handle on the disease, which can lead to seizures, stunted physical growth, language challenges, and intellectual disability. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 This includes high rates of females not laying clutches, low provisioning rates, emaciated chicks with stunted development and other factors. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 As suspected, neurons exposed to post-herpetic neuralgia exosomes were significantly stunted and unable to form a strong network with other neurons. — Andrew Bubak, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 Still, the emotionally stunted John claims not to harbor ill feelings toward Hal, though this is most certainly challenged by the end of the episode. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 According to Hancock, underfertilized petunias classically experience slow or stunted growth, chlorotic (pale) growth, and reduced flowering. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 31 Aug. 2026 There were no fences or other land-ownership demarcations on the steep slope covered by grass, stunted junipers, and large rocks. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 Doctors who reviewed her death records said her stunted growth would have been obvious earlier in childhood, when her tumor could have been diagnosed and treated. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Special teams stunted momentum There were no bright spots Sunday. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026 The brightest highlight was Blue Ivy, who stunted on the Jumbotron with her prowess on the piano. — Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2026 The timing of Isaias is an exception to this trend, due to the current super El Niño weather pattern, which stunted Atlantic hurricane formations through September while cranking out storms throughout the Pacific region. — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Since the 1970s, about 150,000 combatants and civilians have died in the southern Philippines, while development was stunted in the country’s poorest region. — Teresa Cerojano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Ho-seok has been laid off from his job following an incident that has stunted his life and his ability to communicate with his family. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026 Just a few hours from the Arctic Ocean, the exercise helps the Miami native narrow his view to suit a world stunted by extreme cold. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 At 6-months-old, she was diagnosed with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that gradually took away her vision, stunted her growth and caused joint and muscle pain. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 VanSumeren played both positions with the Eagles over three seasons, although injuries have stunted his evolution. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunted

Adjective

Bare-root fruit trees that produce fruit the fastest are typically dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
Look for citrus varieties grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock so the citrus tree stays small and doesn’t need to be pruned or re-potted as often.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

The workers organized a strike, but their efforts were brutally suppressed.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
For 15 years multiple rounds of quantitative easing kept yields suppressed below 3% and often even close to zero, returns which are hardly competitive with stocks.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressed

Adjective

For starters, Lanai has more Cook pine trees than palms, and looks almost arid in many places, with red dirt roads and scrubby brush.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
The project was on the side of a scrubby hill that looked nothing like the steep timber and chaparral where California’s destructive fires burn and the insurance market has fled.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of scrubby

Verb

Audience analysts from Fox and ESPN said the impact of time changes on TV ratings are minimal, dwarfed by changes in how viewership is measured today.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Wa Shin Bay Village—a tiny residential neighborhood dwarfed by its glamorous neighbors of Back Bay and South End—can have a bad food rap among locals; but no longer.

— Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of dwarfed

Adjective

Researchers implant pairs of tiny magnets into a muscle and position external sensors over the skin.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
To stretch your legs, grab one of the resort’s bikes and take the half-hour ride on the narrow, largely traffic-free dirt road down to Punto Allen, a tiny fishing village with a picturesque lighthouse.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of tiny

Adjective

The losers will be SpaceX’s current shareholders that give up almost half their company for puny profits and big promises.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
To achieve a similar impact, Johnson appears to be wearing a muscular silicone suit over his 6-foot-5 frame, but the extra padding just makes his head look puny.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of puny

Verb

As long as men are in power, the United States will remain a patriarchy where the value of women is diminished, female victims are not believed and institutions aren’t held accountable.

— Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Lawmakers who oppose him risk public ridicule, primary challenges and diminished political support.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminished

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“Stunted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunted. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of stunted

adjective

verb

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