stunning

[stuhn-ing]

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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!

Origin of stunning

First recorded in 1660–70; stun + -ing²

Related formsstun·ning·ly, adverb

Synonyms for stunning

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1. stupefying, numbing, dumbfounding, astounding.

stun

[stuhn]

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

Related formsun·stunned, adjective

Synonyms for stun

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2, 3. See shock¹. 4. stupefy.

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

Related Words for stunning

sensational, great, impressive, remarkable, striking, brilliant, devastating, spectacular, dazzling, wonderful, gorgeous, lovely, ravishing, smashing, top, fine, fair, bonny, comely, excellent

Examples from the Web for stunning

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of stunning

In the hour of triumph the government was doomed to receive a stunning blow.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
She and I have picked out a stunning design for the wedding dress.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
There is no stunning confutation of his nonsense before men and angels.
Essays, First Series
Ralph Waldo Emerson
He made the statement as if he expected it to come as a stunning surprise.
The Portygee
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
The stunning sense of deep affliction is a mercy from on high.
Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume I (of II)
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for stunning

stunning

adjective

informal very attractive, impressive, astonishing, etc

Derived Formsstunningly, adverb

stun

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

Word Origin and History for stunning

stun

c.1300, "to daze or render unconscious" (from a blow, powerful emotion, etc.), probably a shortening of Old French estoner "to stun" (see astonish). Stunning popularized for "splendid, excellent" c.1849.