transfix

verb

trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks 

transfixed; transfixing; transfixes

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

transfixion

tran(t)s-ˈfik-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• stab
• pierce
• puncture
• pick
• stick
• jab

Examples of transfix in a Sentence

transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board

Recent Examples on the Web

His guitar riffs and solos pop and transfix, while his smooth, slightly nasal voice swells above the compositions. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025

The mountain lion walks slowly up the porch to the front door of the property before briefly stopping as if transfixed by something inside. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025

Characters in Vineland are numbly transfixed by television, and violence permeates the culture of 1984. —Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025

But back in the '90s I was absolutely transfixed by its warped universe. —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin transfixus, past participle of transfigere, from trans- + figere to fasten, pierce — more at fix

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for transfix

• chopsticks
• lipsticks
• picnics
• reliques
• toothpicks
• yardsticks
• biopolitics
• bolsheviks
• candlesticks
• crucifix
• intermix
• lunatics

Kids Definition

transfix

verb

trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks 

1

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

2

: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing

stood transfixed by her gaze