stun

American  

[stuhn] / stʌn /

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

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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 British  

/ stʌn /

verb

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

2. to shock or overwhelm

3. to surprise or astound

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noun

1. the state or effect of being stunned

Related Words

See shock ¹.

Etymology

Origin of stun

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

Example Sentences

The restaurant joins a growing list of notable closures that stunned the city in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm really stunned that they've continued to play so poorly in that system."

From BBC

Fans were stunned and dismayed in equal measure.

From BBC

It includes two buildings on 1.34 acres, with a total of six bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and nearly 8,000 square feet, as well as stunning waterfront views.

From MarketWatch

But the company’s official response to the stunning turn of events has been poker-faced.

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