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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Recent Examples of stunting
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
Most recently, the Of The ESSENCE Digital Cover star has been stunting in head-turning looks throughout her press tour for her upcoming film You, Me & Tuscany, out on April 10.
—Akili King, Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
In such a dense environment, a dark galaxy could arise when the older galaxies pull away star forming material from a younger one, essentially stunting its development.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Mar. 2026
Javadi stunting on Langdon with her follower count is my favorite thing ever.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
If the Mavericks are going to mostly stink in Flagg’s rookie season and perhaps not get much better right away next year, is this stunting his NBA growth in any way?
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
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
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
Most recently, the Of The ESSENCE Digital Cover star has been stunting in head-turning looks throughout her press tour for her upcoming film You, Me & Tuscany, out on April 10.
—Akili King, Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
In such a dense environment, a dark galaxy could arise when the older galaxies pull away star forming material from a younger one, essentially stunting its development.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Mar. 2026
Javadi stunting on Langdon with her follower count is my favorite thing ever.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
If the Mavericks are going to mostly stink in Flagg’s rookie season and perhaps not get much better right away next year, is this stunting his NBA growth in any way?
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunting
Verb
-
The variable nobody can control Geopolitical uncertainty, especially the war in Iran, is raising volatility in rates and suppressing demand worldwide.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
-
In many cases, survival required suppressing fear, sadness and even physical pain.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The Chicago Transit Authority is resuming normal service on the Green Line, after halting service on its western section due to an unauthorized person on the tracks near the Damen stop.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
-
In an apparent effort to dutifully execute his wishes, DOJ filed a motion demanding that District Judge Richard Leon dissolve his injunction halting the ballroom project.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Back at the Elias-Clarke building, Runway’s intrepid leader Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and her deputy Nigel (Stanley Tucci) fight to keep their once-vital, but now diminishing, print product alive in the digital age.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
1 May 2026
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Even the most ambitious stories often felt exhausted by the third installment, with diminishing creative and financial returns.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Wild were without defenseman Jonas Brodin for the first time in the playoffs after he was injured blocking a shot in the second period of Game 5 in Dallas.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
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Among his proposals is to reform the California Environmental Quality Act to enable only government prosecutors to sue, thus blocking the ability of private individuals and organizations to stop or delay new housing development.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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That led many to believe that, while treatments and crisis care are vital, the goal of suicide prevention needs to expand beyond stopping people from dying to also giving them reasons to live.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ramberg/Getty Images Household budgets are under significant pressure right now, with millions of Americans trying to juggle stubborn (and now rising) living costs and shrinking financial cushions thanks to their rising credit card debt.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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As more Americans take weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, appetites are shrinking.—
Khloe Quill , Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Called the Zipang, this mega ship would have weighed in at an incredible 500,000 tonnes, dwarfing anything afloat then or since.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
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The 16-team league set a record with 87 selections, dwarfing the previous record the SEC set last year with 79.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunting. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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