as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
upon hearing the unexpected news, she just sat there in total stupefaction
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Recent Examples of stupefaction
At one point, the fear that squeezed my stomach tighter and tighter gave way to stupefaction.
—
Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The depth of my stupefaction is at the center of a debate playing out on social media, prompted by what seemed to be a definitive ruling on the matter from ketchup giant Heinz.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 July 2023
So here’s a handy guide to stick it to your co-conversants and have their heads nodding at your bon mots in sublime stupefaction.
—Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 June 2021
The ‘Brexit’ series has only heightened this sense of entertainment and stupefaction.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 29 May 2021
Marsalis’s expression combines shock, dismay, amusement, stupefaction, and something like resignation.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement The depth of my stupefaction is at the center of a debate playing out on social media, prompted by what seemed to be a definitive ruling on the matter from ketchup giant Heinz.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 July 2023
So here’s a handy guide to stick it to your co-conversants and have their heads nodding at your bon mots in sublime stupefaction.
—Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 June 2021
The ‘Brexit’ series has only heightened this sense of entertainment and stupefaction.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 29 May 2021
Marsalis’s expression combines shock, dismay, amusement, stupefaction, and something like resignation.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupefaction
Noun
-
Even with that success, two less-than-stellar seasons in 2022 and 2023 were all Titans leadership needed to show Vrabel the door, firing him after a 6-11 season to mild astonishment from around the league.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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In a recent appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast — hosted by the wife of Stephen Miller, who currently serves as homeland security advisor to the White House — Kennedy expressed astonishment that the president is even alive.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To my amazement, up shot Leo’s hand.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
So when the Post relaunched Book World in 2022, readers and writers reacted with the same mixture of amazement and trepidation inspired by the dinosaurs at Jurassic Park.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Due to a lightweight insole, grippy outsole, shock-absorbing heel, and secure lace-up closure, that was made possible.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
His rapid success is hardly a shock to coach Tai Streets.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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