at a loss for words
idiom
chiefly US
: unable to think of anything to say
I was so surprised to see her that I was at a loss for words.
Examples of at a loss for words in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The loquacious Draymond Green seemed to be at a loss for words.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
Michigan had just suffered a 99-67 defeat to No. 2 Purdue, not only its most lopsided defeat of the Howard era, but in 17 years since a 37-point loss to No. 1 UCLA in 2006, and the head coach was at a loss for words.
—Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 24 Jan. 2024
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley is rarely at a loss for words.
—Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024
Some lawmakers appeared to become emotional or at a loss for words on Tuesday after hearing the surviving men testify about their lasting trauma — having boiling water poured on them, being beaten with a leather strap, fearing being raped by staff members at night.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024
Canales and Morgan sure did, though — neither man is ever at a loss for words.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2024
The actor, writer, and model attended the 2023 Glamour Woman of the Year Awards in a high-up style that honestly has me at a loss for words.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Nov. 2023
Others seemed at a loss for words, filling her comments with flame and heart emojis.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 20 July 2023
Southerners are never at a loss for words, especially when surrounded by food.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 24 June 2023
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
Michigan had just suffered a 99-67 defeat to No. 2 Purdue, not only its most lopsided defeat of the Howard era, but in 17 years since a 37-point loss to No. 1 UCLA in 2006, and the head coach was at a loss for words.
—Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 24 Jan. 2024
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley is rarely at a loss for words.
—Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024
Some lawmakers appeared to become emotional or at a loss for words on Tuesday after hearing the surviving men testify about their lasting trauma — having boiling water poured on them, being beaten with a leather strap, fearing being raped by staff members at night.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024
Canales and Morgan sure did, though — neither man is ever at a loss for words.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2024
The actor, writer, and model attended the 2023 Glamour Woman of the Year Awards in a high-up style that honestly has me at a loss for words.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Nov. 2023
Others seemed at a loss for words, filling her comments with flame and heart emojis.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 20 July 2023
Southerners are never at a loss for words, especially when surrounded by food.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 24 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at a loss for words.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near at a loss for words
Cite this Entry
“At a loss for words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20a%20loss%20for%20words. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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