stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈstü-pər 

ˈstyü-

1

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility

a drunken stupor

specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness

2

: a state of extreme apathy or torpor resulting often from stress or shock : daze

Synonyms

• hebetude
• languor
• lassitude
• lethargy
• listlessness
• torpor

Choose the Right Synonym for stupor

lethargy, languor, lassitude, stupor, torpor mean physical or mental inertness.

lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

Examples of stupor in a Sentence

He fell into a drunken stupor.

in a stupor of fatigue

Recent Examples on the Web

Read the full Virgo Daily Horoscope Libra (September 23 - October 22) As Mars and Uranus align, sudden insights shock you out of a stupor. —USA TODAY, 15 July 2024

Ferrera was living in one of the cars with his girlfriend, and both were sometimes in a stupor, Malone recalled. —Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2024

In a delusional stupor, Hugh Sr. chases his son and ex-wife through the hospital, set on killing Daphne, until Hughie corners him in an operating room and manages to talk him back into a (mostly) sane state. —Alex Raiman, EW.com, 27 June 2024

In an angry, drunken stupor, my client returned to the store, confronted the young clerk, and stabbed him in the heart. —Emilio "emi" Benitez, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from stupēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər 

1

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or feeling

drifted into a pleasant, dreamy stupor

2

: a state of dullness or lack of interest resulting often from stress or shock

Medical Definition

stupor

noun

stu·​por ˈst(y)ü-pər 

: a condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility

a drunken stupor

specifically : a chiefly mental condition marked by absence of spontaneous movement, greatly diminished responsiveness to stimulation, and usually impaired consciousness