1
as in dazes
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
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2
as in amazes
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 stuns
This trail stuns in either direction, but beginning at Clark Forks cuts elevation gain by nearly 2,000 feet.
—
Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Hyundai stuns with Atlas Hyundai showcased Atlas at CES in Las Vegas last month.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
Jimenez created this look using two coats of a bronzy pearl polish accented with subtle green glitter, resulting in a finish that stuns with its simplicity.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
Executive producer and star of the film, Danielle Brooks, stuns with her performance as a mother trying to juggle it all and offers an honest portrayal of what happens when extenuating circumstances prevent closeness and warmth within a household.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Nicole Kidman stuns in an orange ensemble while in Paris, as Diane Kruger and Norman Reedus have a rare date night at the Armani Privé show during Paris Fashion Week.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Trump's attack stuns the world.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 7 Jan. 2026
RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen stuns in a first look at his Broadway debut.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
And then there’s Emerald Greene (Nash-Betts), who stuns in bold jewel tones and beautiful hats.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 12 Nov. 2025
Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Hyundai stuns with Atlas Hyundai showcased Atlas at CES in Las Vegas last month.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
Jimenez created this look using two coats of a bronzy pearl polish accented with subtle green glitter, resulting in a finish that stuns with its simplicity.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
Executive producer and star of the film, Danielle Brooks, stuns with her performance as a mother trying to juggle it all and offers an honest portrayal of what happens when extenuating circumstances prevent closeness and warmth within a household.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Nicole Kidman stuns in an orange ensemble while in Paris, as Diane Kruger and Norman Reedus have a rare date night at the Armani Privé show during Paris Fashion Week.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Trump's attack stuns the world.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 7 Jan. 2026
RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen stuns in a first look at his Broadway debut.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
And then there’s Emerald Greene (Nash-Betts), who stuns in bold jewel tones and beautiful hats.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuns
Verb
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The second thing that strikes me more and actually amazes me is the fact that this is a story, a trope, that is repeated in most of the presentation of Agnes Pockels.—
Mariel Carr,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
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Eva’s romance with her husband, Franklin Plaskett, delights and amazes her.—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Keeping forearms grounded, press through your toes and shift your weight forward so that your whole body rocks forward several inches.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
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Now 71, Funderburgh still rocks a pompadour — albeit smaller and streaked with silver — that once inspired former bandmate Mike Judge to sketch Beavis.—
Thor Christensen,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Stabbing shocks Olathe community Officers responded around noon March 19 to the 1000 block of North Ridgeview Road after reports of an armed disurbance.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
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Two years later, an eerily similar crime shocks the city—this time involving the son of Chief of Police Greg Lamar (Raymond-James).—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Monster blizzard paralyzes Northeast with extreme snow, soaring power outages.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Feb. 2026
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For example, the curare plant poisons used by South and Central American hunters paralyzes the respiratory system.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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The project, which Steinberger has rebranded multiple times—evolving from Clawdbot to Moltbot and finally to OpenClaw—largely owing to politics—has expanded at a pace that startles even seasoned AI experts.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … MASSIVE UPSET — Venezuela surprises Team USA in thrilling World Baseball Classic final victory.—
,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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A lot of Americans disagree with this war, and that surprises me.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stuns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuns. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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