stun

[stʌn]

stun Definition

• 1. to shock or surprise someone so much that they are unable to react immediately
• 2. to make someone unconscious or dazed for a short time by hitting them on the head
• 3. to impress or amaze someone greatly

Using stun: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stun" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The news of his sudden death stunned everyone.

• Example

  He was stunned by the beauty of the landscape.

• Example

  The boxer was stunned by a powerful punch to the head.

• Example

  The loud noise stunned the crowd into silence.

stun Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for stun

• shock
• amaze
• astonish
• daze
• stupefy

Antonyms for stun

• awaken
• revive
• stimulate

Idioms Using stun

• stun someone into silence

  to shock or surprise someone so much that they are unable to speak

  Example

  Her rude comment stunned him into silence.

• stun someone with something

  to impress or amaze someone greatly with something

  Example

  She stunned the judges with her incredible performance.

• stun someone with a question

  to ask someone a question that is unexpected or difficult to answer, causing them to be momentarily speechless

  Example

  The reporter stunned the politician with a tough question about corruption.

Phrases with stun

• stun gun

  a weapon that delivers an electric shock to stun or incapacitate a person temporarily

  Example

  The police officer used a stun gun to subdue the suspect.

• stunned silence

  a moment of silence caused by shock or surprise

  Example

  The audience was in stunned silence after the magician's amazing trick.

• stun grenade

  a type of non-lethal explosive device that produces a blinding flash of light and a deafening sound to stun or disorient people

  Example

  The SWAT team used stun grenades to distract and confuse the terrorists.

Origins of stun

from Old Norse 'stynja', meaning 'to make dizzy'

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Summary: stun in Brief

The verb 'stun' [stʌn] means to shock or surprise someone so much that they are unable to react immediately, to make someone unconscious or dazed for a short time by hitting them on the head, or to impress or amaze someone greatly. It can be used in phrases like 'stun gun,' 'stunned silence,' and idioms like 'stun someone into silence,' denoting speechlessness caused by shock, and 'stun someone with something,' implying great admiration.