STUNTING Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

stunting

verb

present participle of stunt

as in suppressing

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

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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 From stunting and weakening plant growth to delaying flower production, these 1/10th-inch-long pests can wreak havoc. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 June 2026 Negotiations were shelved, leading to an impasse and stunting Wilson’s development, who was recovering from keyhole ankle surgery which was worse than first thought. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026 The evidence In addition to animal research, there are a handful of preliminary studies in humans suggesting colostrum may improve certain forms of inflammatory bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, and upper respiratory tract infections, as well as stunting in children. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 1 June 2026 Sunflowers contain allelopathic compounds in all of their tissues that can impact nearby plants, reducing seed germination and stunting the growth of roots and shoots. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 May 2026 Bond yields around the world are rising, a spooky development that could easily weigh on economic growth by stunting consumer spending and capital investment. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 22 May 2026 The good news is that growing garlic near tomatoes can protect the harvest and keep pests from stunting the growth of your plants. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026 If the winds don't blow or are light, sea breezes develop, stunting any warming, especially close to the coast. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 Jokic dropped his right shoulder into Wembanyama, spun away from a stunting second defender on his left pivot foot, then planted his right at the elbow for take-off. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunting

Verb

This prescription treatment works by suppressing ovarian hormone production while providing add-back hormones to help regulate the hormone levels and help manage symptoms over time.

— Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 14 July 2026
And Syracuse University seemed more interested in suppressing news of a rape epidemic than solving it.

— ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

Both sides had an interest in halting the fighting and broadly agreed on the principles that eventually led to disengagement and, ultimately, the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty of 1979.

— Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
After temporarily halting the regulations in May, Darwin found that only state lawmakers can make such policy decisions, according to card room industry officials, who sued to block the rule changes.

— Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Definition of halting

Verb

Expensive eye creams have long been considered the gold standard for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of diminishing

Verb

In May, Darwin filed a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking the state from imposing the new rules.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
The other thing that’s happening is that the federal government is affirmatively blocking state and local investigators from conducting their own separate probes.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Definition of blocking

Verb

Travel may be getting more expensive, but that isn’t stopping Americans from splurging on bucket-list vacations.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
Maria Alejandra Betancur said her father, Carlos Hugo Betancur, was recently detained while stopping for gas at a Marathon station on Northwest 58th Street in Doral.

— Ivan Taylor, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

Dominican hospitality does not come from shrinking itself to make visitors comfortable.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
In 2019, when the Fed was shrinking its balance sheet, the cushion of reserves available in the banking system dropped, leading to a spike in overnight lending rates that forced the central bank to step in and add liquidity back into markets.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of shrinking

Verb

Outside groups have spent more than $30 million to boost her candidacy, dwarfing the spending behind El-Sayed.

— Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
At Next Health, the high-dose IV runs $1,000, dwarfing the standard $199 drip on the same page.

— Allison Palmer Updated June 24, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026

Definition of dwarfing

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“Stunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunting. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of stunting

verb

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