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

Farage, now leader of Reform UK, said he was "stunned" that Gill, a former Mormon bishop would have done this.

Read more on BBC

The visitors stunned India in a low-scoring first Test at Kolkata's Eden Gardens to extend their fine run after being crowned World Test champions in June.

Read more on Barron's

Arab governments were stunned by the reach and precision of Israel’s military operations over the past two years and have grown concerned about the lopsided balance, specifically calling out their lack of F-35s.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So he was stunned when, in high school, he saw “Dazed and Confused” and recognized the backyard rocks where he’d frequently hung out with friends and the giant mural of Uncle Sam.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The result is a messy and stunning interaction of bodies.

Read more on 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