stun
gb/stˈʌn/ us/stˈʌn/
B1
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Knock unconscious or daze
To make a person stop moving or thinking clearly, usually by hitting them.
Usage pattern:
to stun [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stun' with 'amaze' in contexts where physical impact is meant.
Synonyms
knock out (More informal; often used in sports or fighting contexts.)
|
daze (Implies confusion and disorientation, not necessarily complete unconsciousness.)
Antonyms
revive (Means to bring someone back to consciousness after being stunned or unconscious.)
Collocations
stun gun
|stun grenade
|stun an opponent
Themes
violence
|health
|emotions
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The boxer stunned his opponent with a powerful uppercut.
- The explosion stunned the soldiers for several seconds.
- She was stunned by the sudden blow to her head.
Learner examples
- The player stunned his rival with one hit.
- The loud noise stunned me for a moment.
- He used a special gun to stun the animal.
Verb
B1
action
2
Astonish or amaze greatly
To make someone feel very surprised or amazed.
Usage pattern:
to stun [someone] with [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'stun' here means only negative shock, but it can also be positive amazement.
Synonyms
astonish (Neutral; emphasizes great surprise.)
|
amaze (More positive; focuses on wonder and admiration.)
Antonyms
bore (Causing no interest or surprise.)
Collocations
stun the audience
|stun with beauty
|stun into silence
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The magician's final trick stunned the audience.
- Her sudden resignation stunned the whole company.
- He was stunned by the beauty of the sunset.
Learner examples
- The news stunned everyone in the room.
- Her song stunned the people at the party.
- I was stunned by his kind words.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Device that incapacitates with shock
A small weapon that uses electricity to stop a person or animal for a short time.
Synonyms
taser (A brand name often used generically for similar devices.)
Collocations
use a stun gun
|carry a stun device
Themes
security
|law enforcement
|law
|health
|technology
Examples
- The police officer carried a stun gun for protection.
- Stun devices are sometimes used instead of firearms.
- She bought a stun gun for self-defense.
Learner examples
- The guard has a stun gun.
- A stun gun can stop an attacker for a short time.
- Police may use a stun device instead of a real gun.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stun
IPA
GB/stˈʌn/
US/stˈʌn/
Syllables & stress
stun (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stun)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: stun
- 3rd Person Singular: stuns
- Present Participle: stunning
- Past: stunned
Word family
Forms
Related words
stunningly
adverb
Advanced or less common
stunner
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: stunning Verb
- Irregular past: stunned Verb
Expressions
stun grenade
1/stˈʌn ɡɹənˈeɪd/
fixed phrase
technical
Non-lethal disorienting explosive device
A special bomb that makes a loud noise and bright light to confuse people without hurting them badly.
Examples
- The SWAT team threw a stun grenade into the room before entering.
- Stun grenades are used to distract suspects during raids.
stun gun
2/stˈʌn ɡˈʌn/
fixed phrase
Handheld electric shock weapon
A small tool you hold in your hand that uses electricity to stop someone for a short time.
Examples
- Security guards are trained to use a stun gun safely.
- She kept a stun gun in her bag for emergencies.