stun

[stuhn]

verb (used with object)

stunned, stunning 

1. to deprive of consciousness or strength by or as if by a blow, fall, etc..

   The blow to his jaw stunned him for a moment.

2. to astonish; astound; amaze.

   Her wit stunned the audience.

3. to shock; overwhelm.

   The world was stunned by the attempted assassination.

4. to daze or bewilder by noise.

   Synonyms: stupefy

verb (used without object)

1. to cause astonishment or amazement.

   She stunned in a black and silver beaded gown, accessorized with a sparkly clutch.

noun

1. the act of stunning.

2. the condition of being stunned.

stun

/ stʌn /

verb

1. to render unconscious, as by a heavy blow or fall

2. to shock or overwhelm

3. to surprise or astound

noun

1. the state or effect of being stunned

Word History and Origins

Origin of stun¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English stonen, stunen (verb), from Old French estoner “to shake, make resound”; astonish

Word History and Origins

Origin of stun¹

C13 stunen, from Old French estoner to daze, stupefy, from Vulgar Latin extonāre (unattested), from Latin _ex- ¹ + tonāre to thunder

Synonym Study

See shock ¹.

Example Sentences

Sky-watchers across the UK can look forward to a stunning spectacle on Sunday evening when a total lunar eclipse will turn the full Moon red.

From BBC

The then-28-year-old activist stunned the political establishment when she unseated the fourth-ranked Democrat in the House to represent a New York district that includes parts of the Bronx and Queens.

From Los Angeles Times

Investigators also found knives, a stun gun, body armor, duct tape and rope in his truck.

From Los Angeles Times

When the Clippers landed Leonard in 2019, the NBA was stunned: In a matter of hours, the Clippers had traded for Paul George and signed Leonard, outmaneuvering the Lakers and other suitors.

From Los Angeles Times

Adapting the film to Sphere’s stunning dimensions took about $100 million.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amaze 
• astonish 
• astound 
• bemuse 
• bewilder 
• confound 
• confuse 
• daze 
• dumbfound 
• flabbergast 
• knock out 
• overcome 
• overpower 
• overwhelm 
• paralyze 
• rock 
• shake up 
• surprise