stunned
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Overwhelmed with shock or surprise: Feeling or showing a state of mental numbness, bewilderment, or profound astonishment, often as a result of sudden, unexpected news or events. 2. Knocked unconscious or dazed: Rendered temporarily unconscious or in a semi-conscious, dazed state, typically from a physical blow or impact.
Usage and Examples
- The audience was stunned into silence by the performer's final, shocking revelation.
- She stood stunned, unable to process the news she had just received.
- The boxer was stunned by a powerful punch to the head.
- The stunned crowd could only watch as the fire spread rapidly.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Stunned silence": A common collocation describing a complete, shocked quiet that falls over a group of people.
- His resignation was met with stunned silence in the boardroom.
- The word often implies a temporary paralysis of thought or action due to the intensity of the surprise or impact.
Variants and Related Words
- Stun (verb): To shock or overwhelm someone; to knock unconscious.
- The verdict stunned the legal community.
- Stunning (adjective): Extremely impressive or beautiful; causing astonishment. (Note: This is a distinct, common meaning focusing on positive awe rather than shock).
- They have a stunning view of the ocean from their balcony.
Synonyms
- Astonished: Filled with sudden and great wonder or surprise.
- Astounded: Shocked with wonder or amazement.
- Dazed: Unable to think clearly, especially due to a shock or blow.
- Flabbergasted: Extremely surprised or shocked (informal).
- Bewildered: Perplexed and confused.
Antonyms
- Unfazed: Not disconcerted or perturbed.
- Unsurprised: Not feeling or showing surprise.
- Expectant: Having or showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen.
- Composed: Having one's feelings and expression under control.
Idiomatic Expressions and Phrases
- To be stunned by/into: The typical prepositional structure used with this adjective.
- We were all stunned by her courageous act.
- The tragic accident stunned the town into a state of mourning.
Adjective
- in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock
- he had a dazed expression on his face
- lay semiconscious, stunned (or stupefied) by the blow
- was stupid from fatigue
- knocked unconscious by a heavy blow
- filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
- an amazed audience gave the magician a standing ovation
- I stood enthralled, astonished by the vastness and majesty of the cathedral
- astounded viewers wept at the pictures from the Oklahoma City bombing
- stood in stunned silence
- stunned scientists found not one but at least three viruses