STUNTED Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

stunted 1 of 2

adjective

as in dwarf

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Dissimilar Words

stunted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stunt

as in suppressed

to hold back the normal growth of unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree

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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 stunted

Adjective

This includes high rates of females not laying clutches, low provisioning rates, emaciated chicks with stunted development and other factors. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 As suspected, neurons exposed to post-herpetic neuralgia exosomes were significantly stunted and unable to form a strong network with other neurons. — Andrew Bubak, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 Still, the emotionally stunted John claims not to harbor ill feelings toward Hal, though this is most certainly challenged by the end of the episode. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 According to Hancock, underfertilized petunias classically experience slow or stunted growth, chlorotic (pale) growth, and reduced flowering. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 31 Aug. 2026 There were no fences or other land-ownership demarcations on the steep slope covered by grass, stunted junipers, and large rocks. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 Doctors who reviewed her death records said her stunted growth would have been obvious earlier in childhood, when her tumor could have been diagnosed and treated. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 Insufficient sunlight leads to sparse blooming, stunted growth, fungal diseases, and small, pale, overly sour cherries. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026 Plzeňský Prazdroj, the country’s largest beer producer, expects to incur losses this year due to a stunted hops yield. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

Since the 1970s, about 150,000 combatants and civilians have died in the southern Philippines, while development was stunted in the country’s poorest region. — Teresa Cerojano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Ho-seok has been laid off from his job following an incident that has stunted his life and his ability to communicate with his family. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026 Just a few hours from the Arctic Ocean, the exercise helps the Miami native narrow his view to suit a world stunted by extreme cold. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 At 6-months-old, she was diagnosed with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that gradually took away her vision, stunted her growth and caused joint and muscle pain. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 VanSumeren played both positions with the Eagles over three seasons, although injuries have stunted his evolution. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 8 July 2026 This lack of competition has stunted the organizational capacity of both the Democratic and Republican Parties, rendering them hollow and unable to cultivate, train, or support a pipeline of young candidates. — Peter Gosselin, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 There were high hopes for the 2024 Big East Conference Player of the Year when former general manager Monte McNair drafted Carter, but his growth was stunted by a shoulder injury and a logjam in Sacramento’s backcourt. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 The rap has certainly stunted the price of the stock. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 14 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunted

Adjective

Bare-root fruit trees that produce fruit the fastest are typically dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
Look for citrus varieties grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock so the citrus tree stays small and doesn’t need to be pruned or re-potted as often.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

The record fizzled; after a few weeks, Spector suppressed any further distribution of it.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Native peoples in New England and Bermuda kept alive their family histories and stories throughout the centuries, even when colonial documents suppressed or omitted these connections.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of suppressed

Adjective

The brick pathway at my feet passed through a small ornamental fence, crossed some scrubby grass, then ran up the steps to the Helen Keller Birthplace at Ivy Green.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Wild sage and scrubby junipers riddle the sand, boulders punctuate the foothills and draws, and the impressive ridgelines of the Sierra Eastside tower over it all, seemingly close enough to splash with the flick of a finger.

— Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of scrubby

Verb

This was not the case for one—an egregious offering that dwarfed all the others, like a cuckoo in a wren’s nest.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Pappas, who is giving up his House seat after four terms, raised twice as much money as Sununu and Brown combined and dwarfed his Democratic primary opponents, as well.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of dwarfed

Adjective

Because batteries in wearable devices are tiny, and 5G cellular chips can instantly cut a wearable’s battery life by half, analysts expect the devices to remain tethered to a phone for at least the next five to 10 years.

— Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
How to try the arugula trick at home The actual habit is tiny.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of tiny

Verb

Kennedy boasted about the administration’s moves to downsize the childhood vaccination schedule and reshape a key vaccine advisory board — steps that have since been halted by a judge.

— Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Kennedy boasted about the administration's moves to downsize the childhood vaccination schedule and reshape a key vaccine advisory board -- steps that have since been halted by a judge.

— FATIMA HUSSEIN, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of halted

Adjective

To achieve a similar impact, Johnson appears to be wearing a muscular silicone suit over his 6-foot-5 frame, but the extra padding just makes his head look puny.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
For example, in another suit litigating the effects of social media on children, a jury settled in March on the comparatively puny figure of $6 million, distributed between Meta and YouTube.

— David B Mcgarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026

Definition of puny

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“Stunted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunted. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stunted

adjective

verb

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