stunning

[ stuhn-ing ]

/ ˈstʌn ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR stunning ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing, capable of causing, or liable to cause astonishment, bewilderment, or a loss of consciousness or strength: a stunning blow.

of striking beauty or excellence: What a stunning dress you're wearing!

Nearby words

stun grenade, stun gun, stung, stunk, stunner, stunning, stunsail, stunt, stunt man, stunt person, stunt woman

Origin of stunning

First recorded in 1660–70; stun + -ing²

SYNONYMS FOR stunning

1 stupefying, numbing, dumbfounding, astounding.

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Related forms

stun·ning·ly, adverb

Definition for stunning (2 of 2)

stun

[ stuhn ]

/ stʌn /

verb (used with object), stunned, stun·ning.

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.

to astonish; astound; amaze: Her wit stunned the audience.

to shock; overwhelm: The world was stunned by the attempted assassination.

to daze or bewilder by noise.

noun

the act of stunning.

the condition of being stunned.

Origin of stun

1250–1300; Middle English stonen, stunen (v.) < Old French estoner to shake, make resound; see astonish

SYNONYMS FOR stun

2, 3 See shock¹.

4 stupefy.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR stun ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

un·stunned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for stunning

Rather, Mahone is well aware of, and repeatedly stresses, the stunning rise to fame he has experienced.
Portrait of the Austin Mahone as a Teen Idol|William O’Connor|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The contrast with the Wilson grand jury is a stunning illustration of the racial double standards in criminal justice.
We Need More Ferguson-style Grand Juries|Kaimipono Wenger|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On each coast, the Caribbean and the Pacific, there are stunning beaches.
China’s Nicaragua Canal Could Spark a New Central America Revolution|Nina Lakhani|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the Financial Times noted in September, the deal “represents a stunning change in strategy.”
China Is Financing Putin’s Aggression|Gordon G. Chang|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And he, like the other men in the quartet of so-called “sure things,” delivers a stunning, awards-worthy performance in his film.
Why Does Oscar Hate Young Men?|Kevin Fallon|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Higher and higher—faster and faster—till with a stunning, ear-deafening crash she struck the great dome and was through.
The Affair of the Brains|Anthony Gilmore
Relief was so sudden and stunning that for a moment Simon could not breathe.
The Saracen: Land of the Infidel|Robert Shea
The next instant a cataract of water poured over the deck with stunning force!
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton
They were a stunning party, and their carriage and horses as fine as one would care to see.
The Heatherford Fortune|Mrs. Georgie Sheldon
The stroke fell like the stunning blow of a hammer upon the heart of Pierre.
The Golden Dog|William Kirby

British Dictionary definitions for stunning (1 of 2)

stunning

/ (ˈstʌnɪŋ) /

adjective

informal very attractive, impressive, astonishing, etc

Derived Forms

stunningly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for stunning (2 of 2)

stun

/ (stʌn) /

verb stuns, stunning or stunned (tr)

to render unconscious, as by a heavy blow or fall

to shock or overwhelm

to surprise or astound

noun

the state or effect of being stunned

Word Origin for stun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012