as in suppressing
to hold back the normal growth of
unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stunting
The officiating team then moved the line of scrimmage to where Dowdle picked the ball up, to force a second-and-17, a drive-stunting turn of events.
—
Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Roots become dehydrated, and water stress causes stunting, deformities, and dieback.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 29 Dec. 2025
The additional fiber in the whole grains further slows your body's absorption of carbs, stunting blood sugar spikes.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
Minnesota got him once in the middle of the second quarter by stunting a defensive tackle across his face to create a run-through lane for a linebacker, but Booker otherwise played a pretty clean game, assignment-wise.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
But the commission argues that the war has imposed heavy costs by hiking energy prices and stunting economic growth in the EU, which has already provided nearly 200 billion euros ($235 billion) in support to Ukraine.
—Lorne Cook, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2025
Warning signs include yellowing within a week of infestation, purpling or reddening of leaves, stunting despite adequate moisture, weakening root systems and patchy areas of thinning or dead grass.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Refrain from pruning more than 20% to 30% of the plant at one time to avoid shocking and stunting its growth.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025
Chronic malnutrition – or stunting – has remained persistently high in the camps, at around 41%, UNICEF says.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Roots become dehydrated, and water stress causes stunting, deformities, and dieback.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 29 Dec. 2025
The additional fiber in the whole grains further slows your body's absorption of carbs, stunting blood sugar spikes.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
Minnesota got him once in the middle of the second quarter by stunting a defensive tackle across his face to create a run-through lane for a linebacker, but Booker otherwise played a pretty clean game, assignment-wise.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
But the commission argues that the war has imposed heavy costs by hiking energy prices and stunting economic growth in the EU, which has already provided nearly 200 billion euros ($235 billion) in support to Ukraine.
—Lorne Cook, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2025
Warning signs include yellowing within a week of infestation, purpling or reddening of leaves, stunting despite adequate moisture, weakening root systems and patchy areas of thinning or dead grass.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Refrain from pruning more than 20% to 30% of the plant at one time to avoid shocking and stunting its growth.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025
Chronic malnutrition – or stunting – has remained persistently high in the camps, at around 41%, UNICEF says.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunting
Verb
-
There’s plenty to like about both veteran pitchers and reason to believe that competing in a home run-suppressing environment will allow their attributes to play up.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Foulk argued Barrett was suppressing evidence by preventing the state from presenting certain tax returns and Illinois Department of Revenue testimony.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That led to banks halting payments for the firm, Microsoft cutting off access to its cloud service products and a ban on exports to Europe.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
This hike was made contingent on State Farm meeting conditions like a cash infusion and halting its non-renewals.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But while the statement is getting a lot of attention, the far bigger story in Ottawa is the team’s diminishing playoff odds.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The committee’s Democratic members savaged Rubio for diminishing America’s global role; the meeting grew so rancorous that Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho who was Rubio’s closest friend in the Senate, had to repeatedly bang his gavel to bring order.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the 47-second video, the agent can be seen walking around Good’s maroon Honda Pilot, which is in the middle of the street blocking traffic.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension accuses the FBI of blocking it from accessing evidence in the investigation.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of stopping to help the victim, the driver continued in an unknown direction.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The last time Netflix disclosed subscriber figures, at the end of 2024, the streamer counted more than 300 million global subscribers, far ahead of rivals like Disney+, before stopping subscriber disclosures altogether.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Think of deductions as shrinking your tax bill.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Sea ice is shrinking at a rapid rate.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ghadimi, who fled the country in 2024, also cited figures circulating among activists claiming well over the 2,600 detainees reported, likely dwarfing that number.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Despite Oregon’s offense dwarfing that of Texas Tech from a yardage standpoint 198 to 88, the Raiders limited the Ducks to just six points — in large part due to curbing both fourth-down attempts.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunting. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
