1
as in amazing
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
we suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of the bottom-ranked team in the division
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wonderful
causing wonder or astonishment
the stunning beauty of the star-filled sky on a cloudless night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in beautiful
very pleasing to look at
how stunning the performers look in their costumes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dazing
to make senseless or dizzy by a blow
a powerful uppercut to the jaw stunned the boxer and sent him crashing to the canvas
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in surprising
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the news of their boss's termination stunned the staff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stunning
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Japan’s stunning Seto Inland Sea is an excellent destination for island-hopping around the Geiyo archipelago.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Markets were pricing roughly a 50% probability the Federal Reserve raises rates by December, a stunning reversal from expectations of two cuts at the start of the year.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Researchers made stunning discoveries on land, too.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stunning
Adjective
Two of America’s largest tech companies suffered stunning defeats in court this week, sustaining early jolts in what could prove to be a seismic shift in how social media operates amid a new landscape of legal risk.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Japan’s stunning Seto Inland Sea is an excellent destination for island-hopping around the Geiyo archipelago.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Markets were pricing roughly a 50% probability the Federal Reserve raises rates by December, a stunning reversal from expectations of two cuts at the start of the year.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Researchers made stunning discoveries on land, too.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunning
Adjective
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Lucky for us, the Amazon Big Spring Sale started today, and some amazing tablet deals are here to make your life easier.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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Hallauer and Josefberg have absolutely amazing chemistry, Adeline plays Lorraine to flirty perfection, Bindeman takes nerdiness to a whole new level, and Tucker’s voice is, well, golden.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even a spontaneous side order of roasted carrots with pomegranate yogurt is haunting me, in a wonderful way.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
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Jim has a wonderful history with Cannes.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One is beautiful and famous the world over; the other is even more beautiful yet content not to have to put up with all the fuss and attention.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
What happens when you are forced to choose between a beautiful, vulnerable tradition and your own self-actualization?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fairview came out throwing haymakers, dazing the Bruins in the early going.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Zara has been surprising them from the very beginning.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Since Vic and Christine didn’t get an international getaway, TurboTax is surprising them with a honeymoon (and handling their first joint tax return while they’re gone, of course).—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What’s startling is how quickly yesterday’s propaganda has morphed into a neutral statement on American policy.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Now his name is trending again, his lawsuit against his parents a startling revelation.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The administration has asked for an astonishing $200 billion to fund a war that the president also sporadically claims is over, giving legislators an unappetizing choice between funding a quagmire or else walking away and leaving a mess behind.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Archaeologists discovered two astonishing Iron Age hoards in North Yorkshire, one of them being the largest ever found in British history, which has changed the historical understanding of wealth and power in pre-Roman Britain.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Here, though, lovely poetic imagery is scrambled with old and alternate timelines, sending the reverie in unanticipated and often comic directions.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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The foyer has a step-up entry from the front door, which feels elegant, and the living room is spacious with lovely touches in every direction — notice the built-ins with the arches that bookend the fireplace.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunning. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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