1
as in amazed
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
realizing that they had been left out of the will, the billionaire's relatives just sat there, stunned
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion
the loud noise left her momentarily stunned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dazed
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 surprised
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 stunned
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Farley, who looks stunned, examines it.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
The woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis was a loving mother, a poet and a partner whose family – along with neighbors across her stunned city and strangers far beyond – is shocked by the circumstances surrounding her death.
—Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
As an 86-second exchange unfolded, Chez stood perfectly still, a stunned expression on his face, as his father screamed at him and cops ordered him to drop the box cutter more than a dozen times.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The news over the weekend that Maduro had been captured left her stunned.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Because climate change has warmed waters, Zerkelbach said the turtles can sometimes linger too long and become cold-stunned when waters drop below 50 degrees.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Outscoring the Broncos by 14 points in the second half, the Jaguars embraced the underdog role, turning Denver into its own personal chew toy before a stunned sellout crowd.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
Video from the scene captured stunned reactions from nearby residents as the python was pulled from the palm tree.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
Jay Leno continues to stand by his wife during her battle with advanced dementia, a decision that has stunned some in Hollywood.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The tragic deaths of Noah, 7, John, 5, Paul, 3, Luke, 2, and 6-month-old Mary stunned the nation, leading to a capital murder conviction for Andrea, which was later overturned.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
On the morning the cop was arrested, despite the overwhelming evidence, Meatball was stunned.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
On the same night, Loyola stunned Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 72-68.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Director Chloé Zhao appeared stunned, even acknowledging Sinners in her acceptance speech.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Jan. 2026
When the officials looked stunned, the MAGA appointee shut them down.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
For the coveted shoot, the Olympic athlete stunned in a variety of looks.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Rents reflected all of that, and many older, long-time residents in modest suburbs seemed stunned to learn of leases starting at $1,500 or $1,600 a month and reaching as high as $3,800 or even $4,000.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Farley, who looks stunned, examines it.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
The woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis was a loving mother, a poet and a partner whose family – along with neighbors across her stunned city and strangers far beyond – is shocked by the circumstances surrounding her death.
—Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
As an 86-second exchange unfolded, Chez stood perfectly still, a stunned expression on his face, as his father screamed at him and cops ordered him to drop the box cutter more than a dozen times.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The news over the weekend that Maduro had been captured left her stunned.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Because climate change has warmed waters, Zerkelbach said the turtles can sometimes linger too long and become cold-stunned when waters drop below 50 degrees.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Outscoring the Broncos by 14 points in the second half, the Jaguars embraced the underdog role, turning Denver into its own personal chew toy before a stunned sellout crowd.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
Video from the scene captured stunned reactions from nearby residents as the python was pulled from the palm tree.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
The pop star stunned on the red carpet in a completely sheer archival Jean-Louis Scherrer gown from 2003, which showed off her toned midsection.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
Jay Leno continues to stand by his wife during her battle with advanced dementia, a decision that has stunned some in Hollywood.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The tragic deaths of Noah, 7, John, 5, Paul, 3, Luke, 2, and 6-month-old Mary stunned the nation, leading to a capital murder conviction for Andrea, which was later overturned.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
On the morning the cop was arrested, despite the overwhelming evidence, Meatball was stunned.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
On the same night, Loyola stunned Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 72-68.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Director Chloé Zhao appeared stunned, even acknowledging Sinners in her acceptance speech.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Jan. 2026
When the officials looked stunned, the MAGA appointee shut them down.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
For the coveted shoot, the Olympic athlete stunned in a variety of looks.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunned
Adjective
-
Jimmy Fallon was amazed that Charles said that to Kelce, and not just because the 6-foot-5 Kelce could have pounded the actor into a pulp.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
All those economic experts will be amazed.—
William W Bedsworth,
Oc Register,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The movie took liberties, but White's fight for Stuart to be a mouse-like boy is an important part of his history, even if some are bewildered by it.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
13 Dec. 2025
-
Uma is bewildered at this new world, while Gopal can’t so much as look at her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Eleven, the show’s telekinetic heroine, who grew up in a lab, became dazed by the number of clothing options at the Gap.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 2025
-
Firefighters were trying to put out flames, others were trying to find victims inside, Sanford's truck was still there and church members who'd just survived the horror were on the lawn, dazed.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some of her advice surprised me.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Bankers shouldn't be surprised that now Trump — who fears that Republicans could suffer in midterm elections in 2026 — would try to regain a bit of populist popularity with a 10 percent cap on credit card rates.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The mom of two could be seen typing and looking animatedly at her screen, appearing shocked.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Fans on social media are mostly excited (and a little shocked) at this latest bakery item.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Goedert scored his second touchdown on a fourth-and-2 leaving a confused Malik Mustapha behind him in the left flat.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Yet many of its citizens feel both whiplashed and confused.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pamela Anderson has rocked a bob for some time now, but her latest 'do includes pops of pastel pink.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That’s a huge decline from the 125 homicides that rocked the city in 2023.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Royals lost 106 games in his first season but astonished the baseball world by making the playoffs in 2024.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Researchers studying the carcasses of bats in a cave system were astonished to find evidence that common rats have developed a method of catching and eating bats mid-flight—something previously unknown to science.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
17 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stunned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunned. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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