stunt
1to stop, slow down, or hinder the growth or development of; dwarf: A harsh climate stunted the trees.Brutal treatment in childhood stunted his personality.
a stop or hindrance in growth or development.
arrested development.
a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.
Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.
Origin of stunt
1Other words from stunt
- stunt·ing·ly, adverb
- stunty, adjective
Other definitions for stunt (2 of 2)
a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat: an acrobatic stunt.
any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention: The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.
to do a stunt or stunts.
Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.
to use in doing stunts: to stunt an airplane.
Origin of stunt
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use stunt in a sentence
When Russian orphans are measured, they are commonly found to have failure to thrive/growth-stunting for weight and height.
Russia’s Adoption Ban Is Cruel and Vindictive to All | Dr. Jane Aronson | December 29, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThree of them had juvenile delinquency records—minor stuff, mostly, like copter stunting and public disturbance.
A Mixture of Genius | Arnold CastleWhoever is removing the stunting environments of our occupations is doing the fundamentals of reform.
A Preface to Politics | Walter LippmannOne sees upon their minds or bodies the marks and scars of dwarfing, stunting or lack of balance.
Radiant Motherhood | Marie Carmichael StopesHe was stunting so wildly and slamming lead so fast the Jerries began giving him a wide berth.
A Yankee Flier Over Berlin | Al Avery
Later, when a parent humors its every whim, he is stunting its growth toward good citizenship.
Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the World | Clifton R. Wooldridge
British Dictionary definitions for stunt (1 of 2)
/ (stʌnt) /
(tr) to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)
the act or an instance of stunting
a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted
Origin of stunt
1Derived forms of stunt
- stunted, adjective
- stuntedness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for stunt (2 of 2)
/ (stʌnt) /
an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action
an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme
anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity
(intr) to perform a stunt or stunts
Origin of stunt
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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