STUNNING Synonyms: 314 Similar and Opposite Words

stunning 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstə-niŋ

Definition of stunning

as in amazing

causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness we suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of the bottom-ranked team in the division

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

causing wonder or astonishment the stunning beauty of the star-filled sky on a cloudless night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in beautiful

very pleasing to look at how stunning the performers look in their costumes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stunning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stun

as in dazing

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

as in surprising

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 stunning

Adjective

Ray Kerr’s stunning Game 3 start against the Phillies will live in Braves lore forever. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The stunning failure in Tennessee’s execution chamber on Wednesday has left both sides on the death penalty debate demanding answers. — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him. — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stunning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunning

Adjective

This is amazing because everyone gets great views and natural light.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
This is him in 2014 when a lot of people were like, ‘This guy is amazing.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of amazing

Adjective

There is a wonderful museum in the park that interactively showcases the landscape and cultural history of the Chacabuco Valley as well as this part of the region's ecological loss and path to recovery.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Howell and Sloyan are quite wonderful in these moments, and Howell is exceptional throughout.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

With that, Dorinda gathers everyone (except for Chanel Ayan, who is too beautiful for the cold) out into the freezing night for the fireworks that end this celebration.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Indeed, this celestial crustacean has no star brighter than 4th magnitude and its only claims to fame are its membership in the zodiac and beautiful M44.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of beautiful

Verb

Still, there are layers to how the 24-year-old has carried himself in the big leagues since surprising his way onto the Oilers roster.

— Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
George Santos simply cannot get up After surprising the DS by passing the first task — falling out of a hovering helicopter backward — Santos ruins his big moment by struggling to swim to the dock and not being able to lift himself out of the water.

— Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of surprising

Adjective

Wen shows us the startling range of what the body can emote even when trauma renders words inaccessible.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Cornell engineering professor Rob Shepherd sought to design a large, silent underwater robot to monitor ocean health without startling marine life.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of startling

Adjective

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, had recently disclosed astonishing details about how its artificial intelligence agents had broken out of their systems, hacked into another company and tried to cover their tracks.

— Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Beyond attempting to smooth the industry’s many ruffled feathers, Hollywood’s newest mogul must now also wrestle down an astonishing $80 billion in debt accrued as a result of this highly leveraged merger.

— Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of astonishing

Adjective

The Brasserie beside it, a continuation of the same vibe, focuses on French dishes with some good vegetarian options, and hosts a breakfast buffet with lovely local products.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The lovely south-facing casement windows in the living room are original; at the other end of the apartment is enough room for a second bedroom or office, plus a closet).

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of lovely

Browse Nearby Words

stunners

stunning

stunningly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunning. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stunning

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes