transfix

verb

trans·fix | \ tran(t)s-ˈfiks

transfixed; transfixing; transfixes

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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Examples of transfix in a Sentence

transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board

Recent Examples on the Web

He was captured after a manhunt that transfixed the region and forced a nearby school into a lockdown, said Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. — Moriah Balingit, Washington Post, "‘A horrific, horrific day’: At least 17 killed in Florida school shooting," 6 Mar. 2018 He was captured after a manhunt that transfixed the region and forced a nearby school into a lockdown, said Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. — Houston Chronicle, "17 killed in shooting at south Florida high school," 14 Feb. 2018 Mindy Kaling broke records with the largest sale of a film ever, and Shia LaBeouf transfixed audiences with a harrowing portrayal of a character based on his own father. — David Graver, Vogue, "Weekend One at Sundance: All the Celebrities Who Celebrated the Festival’s Daring Roster," 29 Jan. 2019 Its sheer size has transfixed potential investment targets and rival funds alike. — The Economist, "The impact of Masayoshi Son’s $100bn tech fund will be profound," 10 May 2018 As Glamour went to press with our annual Women of the Year issue, the world was transfixed by Washington. — Samantha Barry, Glamour, "For 2018, Glamour's Women of the Year Honorees Were Called to Action," 31 Oct. 2018 Ford was reluctant for months to come forward publicly, but in the past two days has joined the likes of Anita Hill, another professor whose allegations of bad behavior against then-nominee Clarence Thomas transfixed the nation. — Julia Prodis Sulek, The Seattle Times, "Who is Christine Blasey Ford, the accuser of court nominee Kavanaugh?," 18 Sep. 2018 Curry gave a riveting sermon at the royal wedding, one that transfixed both the elite crowd of guests in the church and the broad television audience watching around the world. — Elizabeth Angell, Town & Country, "Who Is Bishop Michael Curry?," 5 Dec. 2018 With the world transfixed by the plight of a boys soccer team trapped for more than a week without food inside a dark Thailand cave complex, Tesla’s Elon Musk had an idea. — Christopher Carbone, Fox News, "Thai cave rescue: Elon Musk's kid-sized submarine prompts jeers, praise," 10 July 2018

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.

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Statistics for transfix

Last Updated

12 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for transfix

The first known use of transfix was in 1590

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More Definitions for transfix

transfix

verb

English Language Learners Definition of transfix

formal : to cause (someone) to sit or stand without moving because of surprise, shock, interest, etc.

See the full definition for transfix in the English Language Learners Dictionary

transfix

verb

trans·fix | \ trans-ˈfiks

transfixed; transfixing

Kids Definition of transfix

: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing through with a pointed weapon They were all transfixed by the Trivium's soothing voice …— Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth