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View synonyms for

stunt

1

[ stuhnt ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to stop, slow down, or hinder the growth or development of; dwarf:

    A harsh climate stunted the trees.

    Brutal treatment in childhood stunted his personality.



noun

  1. a stop or hindrance in growth or development.
  2. arrested development.
  3. a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.
  4. Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.

stunt

2

[ stuhnt ]

noun

  1. a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat:

    an acrobatic stunt.

  2. any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention:

    The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.

verb (used without object)

  1. to do a stunt or stunts.
  2. Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.

verb (used with object)

  1. to use in doing stunts:

    to stunt an airplane.

stunt

1

/ ʌԳ /

verb

  1. tr to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of stunting
  2. a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

stunt

2

/ ʌԳ /

noun

  1. an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action
  2. an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme
  3. anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. intr to perform a stunt or stunts
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٳܲԳٱ, adjective
  • ˈٳܲԳٱness, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ٳܲԳiԲ· adverb
  • ٳܲԳy adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stunt1

First recorded in 1575–85; verb use of dialect stunt “dwarfed, stubborn”; cognate with Middle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr “short”; akin to stint 1

Origin of stunt2

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; origin uncertain; perhaps a variant of stump ( def ) (in the sense “challenge; dare”)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stunt1

C17 (as vb: to check the growth of): perhaps from C15 stont of short duration, from Old English stunt simple, foolish; sense probably influenced by Old Norse stuttr short in stature, dwarfed

Origin of stunt2

C19: US student slang, of unknown origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But his joy turned to rage when Metcalf did not play along with the racist stunt.

From

The move was criticised by several people in the crypto industry, with some calling it "a stunt".

From

Street takeovers, also known as sideshows, typically take place at night when large crowds gather at a closed off intersection to watch cars do “doughnuts,” burn tires, drift and other stunts.

From

A couple of TV roles followed but then the work largely dried up, and he settled for working behind the scenes as a stunt co-ordinator and assistant director.

From

The late journalist and muckraker’s most famous book has inspired a whole subgenre of stunt memoirs.

From

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stunsailstunted