as in suppressed
to hold back the normal growth of
unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scrubby
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stunted
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
But a pair of Beck interceptions in between those scoring drives stunted Miami’s chance to get closer.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Infected plants will be stunted.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
If your shrubs have distorted, yellowing, or curling leaves or their growth seems stunted, take a close look.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Researchers studying Malawi, an African nation with high rates of stunted growth among children, have reported seeing a link between changes in gut microbial genomes and things such as height and weight.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
One in three say over-reliance on AI without developer accountability was their top worry, while one in five were perturbed that junior engineers may see their development stunted.
—John Kell, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Agricultural growth is stunted.
—Sivan Yaari, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Overwatering can also result in stunted growth and off-color (yellow) foliage in annuals.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Helene has stunted that growth.
—Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
Electric Dusk arrived as Motown was reincorporated into Capitol Music Group, creating instability that somewhat stunted the record’s potential.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Don’t harvest cilantro that is too small or its growth may be stunted and leaves may lack flavor.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
As a result, the upper-pressure ridges that have started have been stunted in their growth.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
After starting 0-2 in five of its last six seasons, the team seemed to agree with criticism that trying to preserve its roster’s preseason health had stunted its readiness for the regular season.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2025
Of course, the receiving numbers were stunted as a result of running back Ashton Jeanty’s historic season.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2025
That could have stunted her career if something special hadn't happened in Nashville.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 21 July 2025
Verb
The result is soil compaction and stunted lawn growth.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
But a pair of Beck interceptions in between those scoring drives stunted Miami’s chance to get closer.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Infected plants will be stunted.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
If your shrubs have distorted, yellowing, or curling leaves or their growth seems stunted, take a close look.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Researchers studying Malawi, an African nation with high rates of stunted growth among children, have reported seeing a link between changes in gut microbial genomes and things such as height and weight.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
One in three say over-reliance on AI without developer accountability was their top worry, while one in five were perturbed that junior engineers may see their development stunted.
—John Kell, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Agricultural growth is stunted.
—Sivan Yaari, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Overwatering can also result in stunted growth and off-color (yellow) foliage in annuals.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
However, their progress has been stunted due to the fragile nature of qubits.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Helene has stunted that growth.
—Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
Electric Dusk arrived as Motown was reincorporated into Capitol Music Group, creating instability that somewhat stunted the record’s potential.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Don’t harvest cilantro that is too small or its growth may be stunted and leaves may lack flavor.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
As a result, the upper-pressure ridges that have started have been stunted in their growth.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
After starting 0-2 in five of its last six seasons, the team seemed to agree with criticism that trying to preserve its roster’s preseason health had stunted its readiness for the regular season.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2025
Of course, the receiving numbers were stunted as a result of running back Ashton Jeanty’s historic season.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2025
That could have stunted her career if something special hadn't happened in Nashville.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 21 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stunted
Verb
-
However, these cells are normally suppressed by testosterone and kept in check by the body’s overall hormone balance.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The autocratic czarist regime ruled with an iron hand and suppressed opposition through censorship, banishment, and executions.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Something about the slightly sticky, scrubby texture of a dryer sheet makes quick work of dusting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Arnolds Field landfill, just half a mile from Claridge’s home in Rainham, is an undulating swatch of scrubby land spanning roughly 40 acres.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities released a photo showing the towering waterfront home dwarfed by flames and clouds of black smoke.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
However, those cities also dwarfed Milwaukee’s population of 600,000.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Look for orange trees that are compact in size, such as these dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
-
For instance, dwarf and semi-dwarf trees may live for 15 to 25 years, whereas standard apple trees can easily live for over 50 years.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hegseth also warned that such strikes would continue until those trying to smuggle drugs into the United States halted their operations.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Oct. 2025
-
A number of America's top employers have halted their sponsorship of H-1B visas for certain roles.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Earth, a tiny target in the vastness of space, would often be spared from being hit by these magnetic projectiles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Sometimes changing the world starts with a tiny needle.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nobody Wants This doesn’t fall off a creative cliff in its second season, but a lot of the charm is diminished.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
-
That’s not going to eliminate the nest, and ants may return when the chemical residue has diminished.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The traditional interpretation of Pegasus is a horse flying upside down with puny little wings.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
-
That’s in part, because the odds appear to be long for oxygenic photosynthesis arising on a planet circling a puny red dwarf.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stunted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stunted. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share