1
as in amazed
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
realizing that they had been left out of the will, the billionaire's relatives just sat there, stunned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion
the loud noise left her momentarily stunned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dazed
to make senseless or dizzy by a blow
a powerful uppercut to the jaw stunned the boxer and sent him crashing to the canvas
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the news of their boss's termination stunned the staff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stunned
Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Instead, amid the loss of the iconic Goodall, stunned students pivoted to planting the first tree in her honor.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 23 Apr. 2026
The video, which garnered more than 750,000 likes, drew thousands of comments from stunned viewers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Camavinga looked stunned, his teammates furious, and the referee was left dealing with protests from all angles.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Few people were more stunned than Ahmad.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Barbara Eden, 94, stunned fans with her youthful appearance in a rare selfie with her husband, Jon Eicholtz, 86.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hacks actress made the reveal to a stunned Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
The video shows stunned drivers making a break for it after the firework went off, even though 77 was still partially burning.
—Joe Bruno, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
The executive added that she and her colleagues were stunned by last year’s turnout.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
When the case was called, the defense attorney stunned the courtroom by announcing her client would plead guilty.
—Louis Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
On Monday night, the Magic stunned the Pistons in Central Florida to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Who else was stunned that hiring someone whose only previous managerial experience was with Strasbourg and Hull City to manage Chelsea didn’t work?
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
That result has stunned pancreatic cancer specialists.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Janai Norman’s abrupt exit from Good Morning America left viewers stunned when the weekend coanchor announced via an Instagram video on April 3 that her time at the anchor desk had been cut short.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
When James hit the tying three, the fans wearing the Rockets’ red T-shirts stood in stunned silence.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Instead, amid the loss of the iconic Goodall, stunned students pivoted to planting the first tree in her honor.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 23 Apr. 2026
The video, which garnered more than 750,000 likes, drew thousands of comments from stunned viewers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Camavinga looked stunned, his teammates furious, and the referee was left dealing with protests from all angles.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Few people were more stunned than Ahmad.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Barbara Eden, 94, stunned fans with her youthful appearance in a rare selfie with her husband, Jon Eicholtz, 86.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hacks actress made the reveal to a stunned Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
During the last song in particular, Zegler stunned crowds in London by performing on the balcony of the theater which was then projected inside the venue.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
The video shows stunned drivers making a break for it after the firework went off, even though 77 was still partially burning.
—Joe Bruno, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
The executive added that she and her colleagues were stunned by last year’s turnout.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
When the case was called, the defense attorney stunned the courtroom by announcing her client would plead guilty.
—Louis Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
On Monday night, the Magic stunned the Pistons in Central Florida to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Who else was stunned that hiring someone whose only previous managerial experience was with Strasbourg and Hull City to manage Chelsea didn’t work?
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
That result has stunned pancreatic cancer specialists.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Janai Norman’s abrupt exit from Good Morning America left viewers stunned when the weekend coanchor announced via an Instagram video on April 3 that her time at the anchor desk had been cut short.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunned
Adjective
-
Padres season-ticket holders in the 300 level at Petco Park for four years, both were amazed by their baseball weekend.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Tito played and my father was amazed.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Garcia says, acting out the usual blush of so many bewildered men.—
Darío Gael Blanco,
Vanity Fair,
25 Apr. 2026
-
My mother looked bewildered and even Father looked up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite seeming dazed at first, Wembanyama was able to stand and ran into the tunnel to get further evaluation in the locker room.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Eleven, the show’s telekinetic heroine, who grew up in a lab, became dazed by the number of clothing options at the Gap.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The research team, comprising Tae Yeon Kim, a postdoctoral fellow, and Lane Martin, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Rice University, was surprised by the large increase in magnetization.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Love Project’s success even surprised a school superintendent who came to hear Arleen give a talk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pair shared a sweet slideshow on Instagram in December 2023 that showed Wilson getting down on one knee in front of a Christmas tree to ask a shocked van der Pol to marry him.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
His death has left many shocked and outraged.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shaknovsky, 44, appeared confused as deputies pulled him from the car and handcuffed him at a busy intersection in Miramar Beach, Florida, the video shows.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the first sight of a passenger’s confused look in front of an elevator, a crew member will step in to offer assistance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Haitian immigrants became eligible after an earthquake rocked the country in 2010.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Zack Bolduc and Cole Caufield, on the power play, had spotted Montreal a 2-0 lead as the Bell Centre absolutely rocked again in the anticipation and hope that perhaps their team might take a 3-1 lead over the favoured Lightning.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In her interview with Makeup Artist Magazine, Johnson seemed astonished by her brush with so much greatness.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stunned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunned. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
