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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stupefaction
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
The tourists, speaking in bad French, shake their heads in stupefaction.
—New York Times, 7 Feb. 2021
As usual, however, TIME's selection has stirred up disagreement/bemusement/stupefaction.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010
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
The tourists, speaking in bad French, shake their heads in stupefaction.
—New York Times, 7 Feb. 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
-
Many people who knew Mamdani before his run for mayor confessed to some astonishment at the success of his campaign.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
-
There was a mix of astonishment and reservation in Kyiv on Wednesday — contrasted with bitter dismissal and some mocking defiance in Moscow — after President Donald Trump said Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory, a dramatic change in rhetoric on the war.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To Steve’s amazement, the bear suddenly dropped to all fours and stepped backward – five or 10 yards into the alders and willows.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
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To her amazement, the twins’ dad answered.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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African commodities have long been essential to the modern global economy, but the world tends to ignore that fact until trade shocks or geopolitical crises occur.—
Anu Adedoyin Adasolum,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Applause is heard in the background as the wife is shown beaming a smile before placing her hand over her face, seemingly in shock.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This path has been full of surprises for Russell, who did not originally intend to be a singer and in fact put studied with the iconic Katherine Dunham’s dance academy as a youth.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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There were no major surprises for TCU football on its injury availability report for Kansas State after head coach Sonny Dykes revealed starting offensive lineman Ryan Hughes was out for the year on Tuesday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stupefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupefaction. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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