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stun

verb (used with object)

, stunned, stun·ning.

  1. 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.
  2. Her wit stunned the audience.
  3. The world was stunned by the attempted assassination.
  4. to daze or bewilder by noise.
    Synonyms: stupefy

verb (used without object)

  1. to cause astonishment or amazement:
    She stunned in a black and silver beaded gown, accessorized with a sparkly clutch.

noun

  1. the condition of being stunned.

/ stʌn /

verb

  1. to render unconscious, as by a heavy blow or fall

noun

  1. the state or effect of being stunned

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Word History and Origins

Origin of stun1

First recorded in

1250–1300; Middle English stonen, stunen (verb), from Old French estoner “to shake, make resound”; astonish

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Word History and Origins

Origin of stun1

C13 stunen, from Old French estoner to daze, stupefy, from Vulgar Latin extonāre (unattested), from Latin

ex- 1+ tonāre to thunder

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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Just as Hojgaard was piling on the pressure, McIlroy produced a stunning approach shot on the 16th to tee up a birdie putt.

In the fifth, the Mexican stunned the Briton with a huge left hand just before the bell rang.

City had arrived in London unbeaten, with memories of their stunning victory over European champions Barcelona earlier this season still fresh in their minds.

"Jon was an interesting and thoughtful person, he had some stunning dramatic performances on stage and on screen and the country is still in stitches from the magic that was D'Unbelievables."

Within the last week, Trump's cabinet picks have stunned the nation by declaring Musk's new appointment as the co-leader of a new initiative to run the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.