speechless

adjective

speech·​less ˈspēch-ləs How to pronounce speechless (audio)
1
: unable to speak : dumb
2
: not speaking : silent
3
: not capable of being expressed in words
speechlessly adverb
speechlessness noun

Examples of speechless in a Sentence

I was speechless with shock. Your story left me speechless.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2023 Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless. Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2023 Crockett was speechless when Tapper informed him that was not the case. Bryan Pietsch, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Jan. 2023 For what seemed like the 100th time in about 20 minutes, Kevin de León was speechless, his jaw slack, his eyes as wide and blank as a deer caught in headlights. Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for speechless 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of speechless was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near speechless

Cite this Entry

“Speechless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speechless. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

speechless

adjective
speech·​less ˈspēch-ləs How to pronounce speechless (audio)
1
: unable to speak
2
: not speaking for a time : silent
speechless with surprise
speechlessly adverb
speechlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on speechless

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