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

Maryland, which trailed 20-9 midway through the first half, stumbled out of its early stupor and went on a 7-0 run to get back in the game. —Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025

German movies of the 1970s will forever be linked with the New German Cinema movement, the auteur directors — led by the likes of Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Werner Herzog, Wim Wenders, Margarethe von Trotta and Volker Schlöndorff — who shook the country out of its postwar stupor. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025

In 1994 of this reimagined America, Michelle (Brown) is a rebellious foster teen who lost her family in a car accident and wants nothing to do with people, most of whom mainly exist in a VR stupor powered by Skate’s Apple-esque mega company. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

But Billy seems to be coming out of his post-Claudia stupor and recognizes that Olympia is picking Matty for her big assignments repeatedly. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from stupēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stupor

• grouper
• hooper
• keuper
• looper
• super
• trooper
• paratrooper

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