dazzle

verb daz·zle \ ˈda-zəl \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of dazzle

dazzled; dazzling play \-z(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to lose clear vision especially from looking at bright light

2 a : to shine brilliantly

… the woods dazzled whitely …
—Truman Capote

b : to arouse admiration by an impressive display

She dazzles in her live concerts.

transitive verb

1 : to overpower with light

was dazzled by the camera flash

2 : to impress deeply, overpower, or confound with brilliance

dazzled us with her wit

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dazzle

noun

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dazzler

play \-z(ə-)lər\ noun

See dazzle defined for English-language learners

See dazzle defined for kids

Examples of dazzle in a Sentence

Elvis always dazzled his audiences.
Visitors were dazzled by the mansion's ornate rooms.
She truly dazzles in her live concerts.

Recent Examples of dazzle from the Web

At the center of his art was that dazzling physicality and the percussiveness of his playing — his deep, serene, Ellingtonian chords and hummingbird attacks above middle C — which held true well into his 80s.

— ben ratliff, BostonGlobe.com, "Cecil Taylor, 89, pianist who moved beyond jazz idiom," 7 Apr. 2018
At the center of his art was that dazzling physicality and the percussiveness of his playing — his deep, serene, Ellingtonian chords and hummingbird attacks above middle C — which held true well into his 80s.

— ben ratliff, New York Times, "Cecil Taylor, Pianist Who Defied Jazz Orthodoxy, Is Dead at 89," 6 Apr. 2018
Augusta National, built on a former nursery, dazzles the senses.

— gary d'amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "D'Amato: What makes Masters special? A million things, big and small," 4 Apr. 2018
The fresh-faced California kid dazzled a new audience with his magical -- and often high risk -- short game.

— rob hodgetts, CNN, "Fan favorite Phil Mickelson still pushing for grand slam glory," 30 Mar. 2018
Thursday, in the 10th opening day start of his career, Verlander dazzled.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros open 2018 season with win over Rangers," 29 Mar. 2018
And this stoppage-time equalizer from Diego Rubio–off Khiry Shelton's back-heel assist–to salvage a 2-2 draw vs. Colorado certainly dazzled.

— avi creditor, SI.com, "The MLS XI, Week 4: Another Red Bulls Stampede, LA Braces for Zlatan," 26 Mar. 2018
Mark Dresser Quintet Expect a night of dazzling aural adventure when San Diego contrabass great Mark Dresser is joined by a stellar band featuring the superb flutist Nicole Mitchell, rising piano phenom Joshua White and trombonist Michael Dessen.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Spring arts 2018: 10 things to watch in music this season," 25 Mar. 2018
Ingham, the Alaska Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999, dazzled as a 5-foot-4 point guard for the T-birds.

— chris lawrence, Anchorage Daily News, "Former East star Ingham is back at state basketball tournament, this time as a coach," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dazzle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dazzle

frequentative of daze

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

dazzle Synonyms

Synonyms

bedazzle, blind, daze;

Related Words

confuse, overpower, overwhelm, stun;

DAZZLE Defined for English Language Learners

dazzle

verb

Definition of dazzle for English Language Learners

of a bright light : to cause (someone) to be unable to see for a short time
: to greatly impress or surprise (someone) by being very attractive or exciting

DAZZLE Defined for Kids

dazzle

verb daz·zle \ ˈda-zəl \

Definition of dazzle for Students

dazzled; dazzling

1 : to overpower with too much light

The desert sunlight dazzled us.

2 : to confuse, surprise, or delight by being or doing something special and unusual

The magician's tricks dazzled the audience.

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dazzlingly

\ˈdaz-ling-lē\ adverb

Learn More about dazzle

See words that rhyme with dazzle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dazzle Spanish Central: Translation of dazzle Nglish: Translation of dazzle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dazzle for Arabic speakers

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dazzle

Definition of dazzle

dazzle

dazzler

Examples of dazzle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of dazzle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of dazzle

dazzle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

DAZZLE Defined for English Language Learners

dazzle

Definition of dazzle for English Language Learners

DAZZLE Defined for Kids

dazzle

Definition of dazzle for Students

dazzlingly

Learn More about dazzle

Seen and Heard

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