1
as in to daze
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
Relevance
2
as in to amaze
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 stun
What about Shaq? Bibby stunned his bosses with a suggestion: Can the Hornets bring Shaq aboard?
—
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Gretchen, returning after a 12-year hiatus, is back as a friend this season and later stuns with a party story about her longtime partner, Slade Smiley.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 5 June 2025
The dinner scene ends the act, leaving the audience stunned.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 30 May 2025
When a mural of late 18-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna — who both perished in a Jan. 2020 helicopter crash — was defaced last month in downtown Los Angeles, the greater L.A. community was stunned.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stun
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Gretchen, returning after a 12-year hiatus, is back as a friend this season and later stuns with a party story about her longtime partner, Slade Smiley.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 5 June 2025
The dinner scene ends the act, leaving the audience stunned.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 30 May 2025
When a mural of late 18-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna — who both perished in a Jan. 2020 helicopter crash — was defaced last month in downtown Los Angeles, the greater L.A. community was stunned.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stun
Verb
-
Luke makes it to the stage and ascertains that his wife is still alive, though gasping and dazed.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 May 2025
-
Her attitude reminded Prima of the men at the bar on Amsterdam, who dealt in boasts dressed as revelations, and were almost dazed when a girl took them seriously.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
In The 2025 Playoffs Cason Wallace didn’t amaze anyone with his playoff debut last season.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Among all, what truly amazed the 2022 U.S. Open champion was the 14-time PGA Tour winner, Scheffler's sheer dominance.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
Fear of the unknown, driven by economic instability and geopolitical shifts, can paralyze teams.—
David Meade,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Inflammation from these conditions can paralyze the colon, causing symptoms like bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.—
Janelle McSwiggin,
Health,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
But none of them have surprised me with their brilliance.—
Baz Dreisinger,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
In 2021, Jennings gave some insight into his parenting style and shared what surprised him most about becoming a dad.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
When Kieran returns, now with a family of his own, the town is rocked by a murder that threatens to awaken long-dormant secrets.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
6 June 2025
-
There was even a right royal visit, with King Charles III rocking up to chat with John Lennon’s son Julian and Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty, of all people.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The incident, which saw a car veer across a packed street in the center of Liverpool and plough through crowds of supporters, shocked the city and the football world.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
-
Perhaps there is some potential for hypersonics here, but I would be shocked to ever see a satellite launched into orbit from a fighter jet.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
-
At the end of February, a pedestrian was hit in West London by an ebike rider in West London — not a rental or sharing scheme, to be clear — and died after a month in hospital.—
Nicole Kobie,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
-
The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stun. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share