dumbfounded 1 of 2

adjective

variants also dumfounded
1
as in stunned
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise dumbfounded by the realization that he had just won the grand prize in the multistate lottery

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amazed
filled with amazement or wonder dumbfounded visitors to the Grand Canyon

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dumbfounded

2 of 2

verb

variants also dumfounded
past tense of dumbfound
as in surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader

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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 dumbfounded
Adjective
In the book, MacLachlan recalls being utterly dumbfounded at having been asked to do something so oblivious at best and cruel at worst. — Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Barkley has made cuts in practice that left new teammates dumbfounded. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 North wasn’t the only one feeling a little dumbfounded by De Niro’s involvement. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Lopez stood on third base, dumbfounded, as Young fired the ball back to first base to complete the spectacular inning-ending double play. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Burke displayed a dumbfounded grin, then brought the stream to a close. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, what fascinates aspiring neurologist Makenzie Stovall is the idea that AI is trying to emulate the brain — an organ whose inner workings continue to leave researchers dumbfounded. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 O’Donnell’s dumbfounded silence at the impossible-to-grasp question speaks volumes. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 July 2026 She’s supposed to help only with menial tasks, but often ends up helping solve mysteries that leave the police dumbfounded. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Verb
The petition by the legal rights group — which will be appealed to a higher California court — left Laci’s mother dumbfounded and did little to shake her conviction that Peterson was guilty of the murders. — Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 Those unfamiliar with the story will also be dumbfounded by the catalog of mistakes that not only put Stagg behind bars for 14 months, but allowed the real killer to roam free (and kill again) for another two years. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026 Employers are dumbfounded by the state’s restrictiveness. — Brendan Hellweg, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026 James Hotchkiss / Reuters Carlos Rodriguez, outside in his robe, was dumbfounded by this show of brute force. — Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026 The president’s vehement reaction and over-the-top attacks left some Republican senators dumbfounded. — Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026 Warren herself is dumbfounded by the bizarre case of mistaken identity. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026 Even though officials describe work release as a form of custody, the fact that Brom was getting a measure of freedom outraged and dumbfounded many legislators, law enforcement officials and members of the community with knowledge and memories of the horrific crime. — Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025 But now that the project has been abruptly terminated, leaving veterans dumbfounded by the decision. — John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounded
  1. stunned
  2. amazed
  3. surprised
  4. shocked
  5. astonished
  6. startled
  7. dumbstruck
  8. bewildered
Adjective
  • It was released as the third of the three-pack of new albums Drake dropped to stunned audiences this May.
    — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As Bijan Robinson raced down the sideline and the rest of his Falcons teammates sprinted in pursuit, a mixture of an eerie hush and a stunned buzz fell over Caesars Superdome from a crowd still not entirely settled in its seats.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of stunned
Adjective
  • For now, that gives New Yorkers one more reason to stop, look up, and be amazed.
    — Nick Caloway, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Historian George is still amazed at the resilience of the neighborhood.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazed
Verb
  • One early adopter, Matt Robb, gave Muse the keys to his Facebook Marketplace account and was surprised when buyers started showing up at his front door ready to pick up their purchase.
    — Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Some Republicans aren’t surprised by the backseat role Musk has taken.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprised
Adjective
  • When people hear of their upstairs-downstairs arrangement, no one is shocked.
    — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Garret said the community as a whole was supportive of their decision to protest, even if their team was a little shocked at first.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Definition of astonished
Verb
  • However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Their approach startled the predator, who took off with the mother godwit in its claws.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Lyons can be a brilliant agent of chaos, a person whose presence left castmates starstruck before her bluntness left them dumbstruck.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 13 July 2023
Definition of dumbstruck
Adjective
  • What appears before the bewildered trio is a boy with a face resembling a frog’s, named Fūsuke.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But Iñárritu’s caricatures become people in a way Kubrick’s don’t; as the bewildered President, for example, John Goodman is simultaneously grounded and theatrical in his presentation, recalling his best work with the Coen brothers.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of bewildered

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Cite this Entry

“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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