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

Framed together, they’d be a stunning display for any lotto aficionado.

From Los Angeles Times

The changes over her lifetime are "really stunning", she says, but "what we see now is really massive changes within a few years".

From BBC

Mercedes' George Russell stole the spotlight from the title contenders with a stunning pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix.

From BBC

Then, just as it seemed Ali would crumble, he staged a stunning rally.

From Los Angeles Times

It took a few more years and additional pressures to unseat the ruling party, but the symbolism was stunning and effective.

From Salon

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.