What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stun
Example
The magician's trick left the audience stunned. [stunned: adjective]
Example
The news of her promotion stunned her into silence. [stunned: verb]
shock
Example
The sudden death of her friend was a shock to everyone. [shock: noun]
Example
I was shocked to hear that he had been arrested. [shocked: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shock is more commonly used than stun in everyday language. Shock is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while stun is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stun and shock?
Both stun and shock can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, shock is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations, making it more suitable for formal writing or speech.