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 astonishing
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
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 stunning
Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The same office that helped craft the agreement to treat indigenous students equally made a stunning about-face and decided in March that helping Native American students would discriminate against white students.
—Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 May 2025
Sanders had a stunning fall in the NFL Draft, dropping to the 144th selection in the fifth round after once being considered a top five overall selection.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Hubble captured this dramatic event in a stunning series of images, revealing intricate dust patterns as a flash of light from the outburst expanded outward and reflected off surrounding dust clouds — a phenomenon known as a light echo.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stunning
Adjective
Carney’s Liberal Party scored a stunning comeback victory in a vote widely seen as a rebuke of Trump, whose trade war and attacks on Canadian sovereignty outraged voters.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The same office that helped craft the agreement to treat indigenous students equally made a stunning about-face and decided in March that helping Native American students would discriminate against white students.
—Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 May 2025
Sanders had a stunning fall in the NFL Draft, dropping to the 144th selection in the fifth round after once being considered a top five overall selection.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Hubble captured this dramatic event in a stunning series of images, revealing intricate dust patterns as a flash of light from the outburst expanded outward and reflected off surrounding dust clouds — a phenomenon known as a light echo.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunning
Adjective
-
Midway through game three, Agassi was clearly winded from playing in the oppressive Florida humidity, but after an amazing rally at 7-7 in the third the teenagers capitulated and Waters/Agassi were able to win and move forward.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Thank you to our amazing cast, crew, and producers and writers!—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Washington Capitals, won 4-1 against Montreal Last week: 7 Sean: 4 Dom: 9 Pierre-Luc Dubois had a fine first round, but zero goals and two assists were still a step down from his wonderful regular season.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
Big, wonderful, funny, horrible, strange, sad, great life.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Set on the rugged and beautiful south Kona coast, this place of refuge was a safe haven for those who broke the kapu or sacred laws, transgressions punishable by death in old Hawaii.—
Ben Davidson,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
While scented candles are ubiquitous in the world of home fragrance, the best reed diffusers bring just as beautiful of an ambiance to your space.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
During a red carpet appearance at WrestleMania After Dark, sponsored by Medium Rare, Stratton shared Flair’s surprising remarks to her after their match.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
But one of Walters' loudest and most surprising critics is conservative Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who first met Walters at a tennis match and helped launch his political career.—
Shanelle Kaul,
CBS News,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Opened just a few years ago, the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel offers excellent service, lovely rooms and terrific food.—
Sherrie Nachman,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
There is an endless supply of them, usually taking place in lovely ancient English towns, where there seem to be a fantastic number of murderers.—
Shannon Doyne,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In that time span, the liberals made a startling 20-plus-point comeback in the polls, overtaking the conservatives as election day neared.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
It’s been a short, hectic campaign season, marked by startling reversals — most notably a massive decline in support for the current opposition Conservative Party — and ignited by the resignation of longtime Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.—
Sean Collins,
Vox,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This is the astonishing dialectical power of the moment.—
D. Graham Burnett,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Tom Hanks narrates this examination of the astonishing variety of life on a supercontinent stretching from northern Canada to the bottom of South America.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s good, but cladding a phone whose raison d’etre is gorgeous, slim design seems less than ideal.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
It's crafted of polished pebble leather and is designed with a gorgeous C-clasp.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunning. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share