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
Relevance
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
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 stuns
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
Once inside, the home stuns with an abundance of natural light streaming from the many windows wrapping the main level.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
However, the show is pulled off without a hitch and Gigi Hadid stuns as its closer in an emerald green gown.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
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
Once inside, the home stuns with an abundance of natural light streaming from the many windows wrapping the main level.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
However, the show is pulled off without a hitch and Gigi Hadid stuns as its closer in an emerald green gown.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuns
Verb
-
What amazes me is how good human beings can be in a crisis.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
-
What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The fashion guru typically rocks her tried-and-true ashy blonde, occasionally opting for highlights and/or lowlights.—
Tessa Petak,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But when a tsunami rocks their island, profound tragedy ensues, and immediately ups the stakes of a brief encounter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Violence shocks neighbors Neighbors said the violence unfolded in just seconds.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Rather than comply, Deborah shocks everyone by telling the audience the truth and loses her show.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For example, the curare plant poisons used by South and Central American hunters paralyzes the respiratory system.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Turning his challenge into a mission and helping others overcome what paralyzes them.—
Isabella Kunde,
CBS News,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Intimacy feels intense, private and all-consuming in a way that surprises you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Equipment is available at no cost, a benefit that Sandoval said often surprises visitors.—
Sierra Knoch,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
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 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
