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
Examples of stunt in a Sentence
Verb (1)
unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree
Noun (2)
performs mental stunts, such as pronouncing words backwards as soon as you say them
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
Before returning to set, Beckinsale's surgeon insisted that the actress not be asked to perform stunts involving running, jumping, harness suspension, squatting, or kicking.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 June 2025
Ayo Adepoju, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Team Severance includes 2022 nominee John Turturro, whose arc, while stunted, had a gripping peak.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stunt
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Noun
After a stunt woman refused to perform the stunt for less than $500, Stevenson volunteered to imperil himself.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
Before returning to set, Beckinsale's surgeon insisted that the actress not be asked to perform stunts involving running, jumping, harness suspension, squatting, or kicking.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 June 2025
Verb
But a hyper-focus on efficiency can also stunt innovation or limit the company’s ability to seize market opportunities.
—Ayo Adepoju, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Team Severance includes 2022 nominee John Turturro, whose arc, while stunted, had a gripping peak.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stunt
Cite this Entry
“Stunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stunt. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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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