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dumbfound

verb dumb·found \ ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd , ˈdəm-ˌ \
variants: or less commonly dumfound
|Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of dumbfound

transitive verb
: to confound (see confound 5) briefly and usually with astonishment
  • were dumbfounded at what they saw
—

dumbfoundingly

play \ˌdəm-ˈfau̇n-diŋ-lē, ˈdəm-ˌfau̇n-\ adverb

See dumbfound defined for kids

Examples of dumbfound in a Sentence

  1. the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader

Recent Examples of dumbfound from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of dumbfound

dumb + -found (as in confound)

dumbfound Synonyms

Synonyms

amaze, astonish, astound, bowl over, flabbergast, floor, rock, shock, startle, stun, stupefy, surprise (also surprize);

Related Words

befuddle, bewilder, confound, confuse, daze, discomfit, disconcert, dismay, jar, muddle, nonplus, perplex, shake up;

Phrases

knock for a loop, take aback, take by surprise;

Synonym Discussion of dumbfound

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.
    • the persistent fever puzzled the doctor
perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.
    • a behavior that perplexed her friends
bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.
    • a bewildering number of possibilities
distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.
    • distracted by personal problems
nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.
    • the remark left us utterly nonplussed
confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.
    • the tragic news confounded us all
dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.
    • was at first too dumbfounded to reply

DUMBFOUND Defined for Kids

dumbfound

verb dumb·found \ ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd \

Definition of dumbfound for Students

dumbfounded; dumbfounding
: to make speechless with surprise

Learn More about dumbfound

  1. See words that rhyme with dumbfound Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dumbfound Spanish Central: Translation of dumbfound Nglish: Translation of dumbfound for Spanish speakers

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