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
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
Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
The original series incorporated a lot of special effects, visual effects and stunts, which according to Krauss was not common for a multi-camera series geared towards children.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Byvirginia Morell, science.org, 23 Oct. 2024
Lead is a potent neurotoxin that is particularly harmful for children, whose learning, mental development, and physical development can be stunted by the element.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stunt 
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Noun
Furthermore, the governor’s last extraordinary session was a transparent public-relations stunt.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
The original series incorporated a lot of special effects, visual effects and stunts, which according to Krauss was not common for a multi-camera series geared towards children.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Today, bison—also heavy grazers—roam where elk used to; drought has stunted some aspen; beaver are beginning to return.
—Byvirginia Morell, science.org, 23 Oct. 2024
Lead is a potent neurotoxin that is particularly harmful for children, whose learning, mental development, and physical development can be stunted by the element.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stunt
Articles Related to stunt
Dictionary Entries Near stunt
Cite this Entry
“Stunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stunt. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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