transfix

play

verb trans·fix \ tran(t)s-ˈfiks \

Definition of transfix

transitive verb

1 :to hold motionless by or as if by piercing

he stood transfixed by her gaze

2 :to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon :impale

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transfixion

play \-ˈfik-shən\ noun

See transfix defined for English-language learners

See transfix defined for kids

Examples of transfix in a Sentence

transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board

Recent Examples of transfix from the Web

Director John Maybury’s striking video, consisting almost entirely of penetrating close-ups of O’Connor’s emotionally contorted face, transfixed audiences with its raw display of grief.

— jordan runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "Sinéad O’Connor’s Struggle: Inside the ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ Singer’s Tumultuous Ups and Downs," 10 Aug. 2017
Laguna Beach found quick success because viewers were transfixed by the love triangle at the center of the show: Would sweet Lauren finally win over her crush, Stephen?

— allie jones, The Cut, "Here’s the Problem With the New Laguna Beach," 1 Aug. 2017
The mystery of the four men's disappearances has transfixed the Philadelphia area over the past week, taking a grisly turn when human remains were discovered in a 12½-foot-deep grave on a farm.

— CBS News, "Suspect confesses to killing 4 Pa. men, tells police where to find rest of the bodies," 13 July 2017
Ball, however, has utterly transfixed his audiences.

— the si staff, SI.com, "NBA Summer League: The Most Intriguing List," 13 July 2017
On Sunday, History Channel aired a documentary special about Amelia Earhart, whose disappearance has transfixed the world since 1937.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Was History Channel’s Amelia Earhart Doc Debunked Just Two Days After It Aired?," 12 July 2017
On Sunday, History Channel aired a documentary special about Amelia Earhart, whose disappearance has transfixed the world since 1937.

— vanityfair.com, "Was History Channel’s Amelia Earhart Doc Debunked Just Two Days After It Aired?," 12 July 2017
Markets have been transfixed by U.S. drilling, production, and consumption data in recent weeks, the best indicators of how quickly excess inventories will be whittled down.

— geoffrey smith, Fortune, "CEO Daily: Friday, 23rd June," 23 June 2017
Watching a flyby from the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the youngest royals—and the entire royal family, really— were visibly transfixed by the spectacle.

— katey rich, Vanities, "Prince George and Princess Charlotte Steal the Show at Trooping the Colour," 17 June 2017

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