stunted; stunting; stunts
: to hinder the normal growth, development, or progress of
stuntedness
noun
1
: one (such as an animal) that is stunted
2
: a check in growth
3
: a disease of plants (such as corn) in which dwarfing occurs
1
: an unusual or difficult feat requiring great skill or daring
especially
: one performed or undertaken chiefly to gain attention or publicity
2
: a shifting or switching of the positions by defensive players at the line of scrimmage in football to disrupt the opponent's blocking efforts
Synonyms
Verb (1)
Noun (2)
Examples of stunt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
However, that museum decided to play into the stunt: The Bundeskunsthalle posted the painting on its Instagram, named the artist, and helped put it up for sale, The New York Times wrote.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
But just hours later, the aspiring artist’s hopes for his big break were dimmed when his stunt instead landed him in big trouble with his employer – and the police.
—Emily Blumenthal, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Budgets got higher, stunts got much larger, and then the show just became this powerhouse.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The just-for-the-cameras stunt was clearly meant to help hype the fight — as Paul was only wearing one glove — and Pump appeared to seriously, and immediately, regret agreeing to take the mighty blow.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
But Democratic lawmakers and Mayes have dismissed that panel as a political stunt.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
The ‘Taco Liberty Bell’ Last but most audacious is a stunt that may still hold the trophy for best corporate April Fools’ Day prank ever.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Yet the stunt concept was about all there was to it.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Moscow’s popular mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, was the nominee for Putin’s United Russia party in his reelection campaign last year, despite running as an independent before — a move interpreted by critics as designed to stunt his political growth in a city where the ruling party is less popular.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
Ozone pollution, meanwhile, can stunt the growth of trees and weaken plants, per the report.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
The virus stunts growth and development of plants leading to smaller and weaker flowers.
—Mike Corder, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
At Sunday’s 96th Oscars ceremony, where Gosling and Blunt were both nominated in supporting acting categories for Barbie and Oppenheimer, respectively, the two presented a tribute to stunt performers onstage.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
Just after the skit, which came as a tribute to stunt performers, the award for Best Supporting Actor was presented.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024
Boasting all the one-liners, shoot-outs, and stunts one would expect from the genre — all grounded in the seedy world of the '70s L.A.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2024
And stunting means that your ability, your cognitive ability is impacted as well.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2024
Noun
But the stunt becomes the story, and the satirical bent shifts from Catch-22 to Dr. Strangelove.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
However, that museum decided to play into the stunt: The Bundeskunsthalle posted the painting on its Instagram, named the artist, and helped put it up for sale, The New York Times wrote.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
But just hours later, the aspiring artist’s hopes for his big break were dimmed when his stunt instead landed him in big trouble with his employer – and the police.
—Emily Blumenthal, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Budgets got higher, stunts got much larger, and then the show just became this powerhouse.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The just-for-the-cameras stunt was clearly meant to help hype the fight — as Paul was only wearing one glove — and Pump appeared to seriously, and immediately, regret agreeing to take the mighty blow.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
But Democratic lawmakers and Mayes have dismissed that panel as a political stunt.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
The ‘Taco Liberty Bell’ Last but most audacious is a stunt that may still hold the trophy for best corporate April Fools’ Day prank ever.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Yet the stunt concept was about all there was to it.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
The lack of appreciation is particularly galling to stunt workers, who risk their safety to make more famous actors look good.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Moscow’s popular mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, was the nominee for Putin’s United Russia party in his reelection campaign last year, despite running as an independent before — a move interpreted by critics as designed to stunt his political growth in a city where the ruling party is less popular.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
Ozone pollution, meanwhile, can stunt the growth of trees and weaken plants, per the report.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
The virus stunts growth and development of plants leading to smaller and weaker flowers.
—Mike Corder, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
At Sunday’s 96th Oscars ceremony, where Gosling and Blunt were both nominated in supporting acting categories for Barbie and Oppenheimer, respectively, the two presented a tribute to stunt performers onstage.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
Just after the skit, which came as a tribute to stunt performers, the award for Best Supporting Actor was presented.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024
Boasting all the one-liners, shoot-outs, and stunts one would expect from the genre — all grounded in the seedy world of the '70s L.A.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2024
And stunting means that your ability, your cognitive ability is impacted as well.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stunt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Stunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stunt. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stunt
1 of 3 verb
: to hold back the normal growth, development, or progress of
stunt
2 of 3 noun
: an unusual or difficult feat performed or attempted usually to gain attention or publicity
stunt
3 of 3 verb
: to perform stunts
Etymology
Verb
from a dialect word stunt "stubborn, abrupt, stunted," probably of Scandinavian origin
Noun
origin unknown
Medical Definition
stunt
transitive verb
: to hinder the normal growth, development, or progress of
an emotionally stunted child
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