stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈstü-pər 

ˈstyü-

1

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility

a drunken stupor

specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness

2

: a state of extreme apathy or torpor resulting often from stress or shock : daze

Synonyms

• boredom
• lethargy
• torpor

Choose the Right Synonym for stupor

lethargy, languor, lassitude, stupor, torpor mean physical or mental inertness.

lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

Examples of stupor in a Sentence

He fell into a drunken stupor.

in a stupor of fatigue

Recent Examples on the Web

Daedone wanted to savor decrescendo, too, as well as stasis, stupor, spiritual awakening, and whatever other sensations the stroke brought out. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

The cilantro is key because its chlorophyllic sharpness slaps the stupor out of the starchy beans. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025

Symptoms of the more serious illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the CDC. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025

The director does get solid performances out of his French and Italian cast, with the engaging Ronchi (Marco Bellocchio’s Sweet Dreams) playing a softspoken woman who seems to be in some kind of permanent stupor until her confessions bring her back to life. —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from stupēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stupor

• grouper
• hooper
• keuper
• looper
• super
• trooper
• paratrooper

Kids Definition

stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər 

1

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or feeling

drifted into a pleasant, dreamy stupor

2

: a state of dullness or lack of interest resulting often from stress or shock

Medical Definition

stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər 

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility

a drunken stupor

specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness