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
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
The versatile shade stuns on its own, layered under chrome, or baked into a design.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 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
Take the quiz here … RETIREMENT PLEA – Chiefs coach's blunt message to Josh Allen after Bills victory stuns NFL fans.
—FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Among them, Colleen Allen’s debut velvet maxi stuns in its simplicity, and Dries Van Noten’s bohemian take, fresh off the FW25 runway, makes a convincing case for maximalism.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
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
The versatile shade stuns on its own, layered under chrome, or baked into a design.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 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
Take the quiz here … RETIREMENT PLEA – Chiefs coach's blunt message to Josh Allen after Bills victory stuns NFL fans.
—FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Among them, Colleen Allen’s debut velvet maxi stuns in its simplicity, and Dries Van Noten’s bohemian take, fresh off the FW25 runway, makes a convincing case for maximalism.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuns
Verb
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Eva’s romance with her husband, Franklin Plaskett, delights and amazes her.—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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What amazes me is how good human beings can be in a crisis.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Lawrence rocks this statement piece by pairing it with more casual items like a simple black tote bag, a beanie, and a pair of neutral colored pants.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
In the trailer, Taylor-Joy rocks a platinum blonde chin-grazing bob.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By contrast, in the United States, employers are not required to offer or contribute to a retirement plan at all – a fact that shocks many workers with pensions.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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That moment is similar to one in the show where another closeted hockey star, Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) shocks the world by kissing his secret boyfriend on center ice after winning a championship.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Turning his challenge into a mission and helping others overcome what paralyzes them.—
Isabella Kunde,
CBS News,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
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As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Then John surprises her by showing up at the Calvin Klein showroom for a new suit.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Further insight into what surprises the new season may bring, can be found below in the character descriptions for the new recurring cast.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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