1
as in to daze
to make senseless or dizzy by a blow
a powerful uppercut to the jaw stunned the boxer and sent him crashing to the canvas
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2
as in to amaze
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the news of their boss's termination stunned the staff
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stun
Defencemen Josh Morrissey: A+ Josh Morrissey stunned the hockey world with a 76-point season three years ago, tying Quinn Hughes for second in points by a defenceman.
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Murat Ates, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The Baywatch alum, joined by her son Brandon Thomas Lee, stunned the carpet in a sleeveless Oscar de la Renta gown with opera gloves and custom Pandora jewelry that boasted over 225 diamonds.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
The general’s comments have stunned Iranians, for both their unfiltered content and the speaker’s stature.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Sony stunned everyone by first showing off an electric concept car at CES in 2020.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stun 
Murat Ates, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The Baywatch alum, joined by her son Brandon Thomas Lee, stunned the carpet in a sleeveless Oscar de la Renta gown with opera gloves and custom Pandora jewelry that boasted over 225 diamonds.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
The general’s comments have stunned Iranians, for both their unfiltered content and the speaker’s stature.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Sony stunned everyone by first showing off an electric concept car at CES in 2020.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stun
Verb
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Pastor Harris had sat scrunched in his truck, dazed as his boots filled with water and blood from the gashes in his shins.Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
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Social media was flooded with videos of people emerging dazed and dishevelled from Assad’s state prisons, in many ways the most potent symbol of his rule, which had been flung open by opposition forces.Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Severe geomagnetic storm sparks stunning northern lights across US (photos) Don Pettit sees petite Dawn descending Monday, September 16, 2024: NASA astronaut Don Pettit has amazed us again with another outstanding photo.Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
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But other events, have amazed us with great beauty and displays of creative energy.Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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However, the database also safeguards against disruptions by providing a fully functional backup system in the event that a cyberattack paralyzes a hospital's primary billing database—which was not among our original goals when developing the tool.Chandler Barron, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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It was also seen as a concession by Hezbollah and, some analysts said, an acknowledgment that the group was no longer in a position to paralyze the state.Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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A lot of people are surprised a 62-year-old man can see the positive side of screen time.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
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Over the past few years, the strength of the U.S. economy and the job market have surprised almost everyone.PAUL WISEMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The pups rocked a blend of their parents' fur colors, black and yellow.Liz O'Connell, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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Between the lines: Lurie has vowed to fight corruption at City Hall in response to several scandals involving department heads and nonprofits that have rocked the city in recent years.Nadia Lopez, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
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His statements — including Holocaust denial, racist denunciations of Muslims and immigrants, and his 1987 proposal to forcibly isolate people with AIDS in special facilities — shocked his critics and strained his political alliances.Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
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During a pre-show red carpet stroll, Gomez was shocked when House of Gucci star Salma Hayek interrupted her live spot with carpet co-host and Variety senior culture and events editor Mark Malkin, to give Sel, 32, a hug.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Powerball jackpot has not been hit since Dec. 7, when a New York player won the $256 million grand prize, lottery officials said.Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
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George Michael and Pop Smoke both hit No. 1 with albums titled Faith.Paul Grein, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The most recent superintendent was basically run out of the job in June after startling dysfunction in the central administration was uncovered.Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
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More on Axios: PR's misguided metrics Israeli intelligence sees growing chance Assad's forces collapse in Syria Israeli intelligence officials have been startled by a faster-than-expected collapse of the Syrian army's defense lines over the last 24 hours, two senior Israeli officials tell Axios.Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near stun
Cite this Entry
“Stun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stun. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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