stunning

[stuhn-ing]

adjective

1. causing, capable of causing, or liable to cause astonishment, bewilderment, or a loss of consciousness or strength.

   a stunning blow.

   Synonyms: astounding, numbing

2. of striking beauty or excellence.

   What a stunning dress you're wearing!

stunning

/ ˈstʌnɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal,  very attractive, impressive, astonishing, etc

Other Word Forms

• stunningly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stunning¹

First recorded in 1660–70; stun + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Along with these plans came the stunning news that Barker would sign on to produce and play drums for them on the project.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Though she described the breed as "stunning", she warned that owning one comes with challenges.

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But after Oregon stormed back to beat Penn State in stunning fashion, Franklin proceeded to lose his next two games.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That stoppage failed to halt Vacherot's momentum as he converted the third of three break points with a stunning cross-court backhand in the first game of the final set.

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The heart of the concert was the stunning one-two punch of “Casual” into “The Subway,” Roan’s most grandly emotional ballads, in which her voice soared with what seemed like total effortlessness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brilliant 
• dazzling 
• devastating 
• gorgeous 
• great 
• impressive 
• lovely 
• ravishing 
• remarkable 
• sensational 
• smashing 
• spectacular 
• striking 
• wonderful 

When To Use

What does stunning mean?

Stunning essentially means something or someone causes such a huge impact that you are stunned from pain or a wave of emotion.Stunning can describe something or someone that literally causes physical pain, as in The kickboxer suffered a stunning blow to her face. Stunning is also used figuratively to describe something or someone that overwhelms you emotionally or has the potential to overwhelm you emotionally, as in The acrobats performed a stunning routine of flips and cartwheels. Finally, stunning can also describe something or someone that is especially beautiful or marvelous, as in The actress wore a stunning dress to the red carpet. You might also use dazzling or gorgeous.Example: In a stunning act of arrogance, the dictator built a solid gold statue of himself and placed it in the city square.