stun

1 of 2

verb

ˈstən 

stunned; stunning

transitive verb

1

: to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow : daze

2

: to shock with noise

3

: to overcome especially with paralyzing astonishment or disbelief

stun

2 of 2

noun

: the effect of something that stuns : shock

Synonyms

Verb

• daze
• paralyze
• rock
• hit

Examples of stun in a Sentence

Verb

The angry criticism stunned them.

His old friends were stunned at his success.

She sat in stunned disbelief.

There was a stunned expression on her face.

weapons that can stun people temporarily

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

More than anything, when the show finally ends, its finale will stun most viewers into silence. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025

Jessica remembers asking her mother, stunned, if there was truly nothing more that could be done. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025

Analysts are stunned by Oracle's cloud growth projections given in the company's first-quarter report, with many cementing the stock as an artificial intelligence frontrunner alongside the market's biggest tech giants. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025

In 1936, an underdog American rowing team stunned the world by winning the Olympic Gold. —Jerry Cahn, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English stonen, stunen, from Anglo-French estoner — more at astonish

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1727, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stun

• stun grenade
• stun gun

Rhymes for stun

• bun
• done
• dun
• fun
• gun
• hun
• jun
• none
• nun
• one
• pun
• run

Kids Definition

stun

verb

ˈstən

stunned; stunning

1

: to make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow

2

: to overcome with astonishment or disbelief

stunned by the news

stun noun

Medical Definition

stun

transitive verb

ˈstən 

stunned; stunning

: to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow