variants
also dumfounded
1
as in stunned
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
dumbfounded by the realization that he had just won the grand prize in the multistate lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amazed
filled with amazement or wonder
dumbfounded visitors to the Grand Canyon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also dumfounded
as in surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dumbfounded
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
The leaders of a group that searched for it at the end of June were dumbfounded when the King suddenly appeared on sonar, said Brendon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The Morning Show costars and friends of nearly three decades both learned something new about each other in a recent interview with LADbible, as Aniston, 56, was left dumbfounded after learning that Reese is not actually Witherspoon's name.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Accompanied by Danny Elfman’s jazzy score, the sequence feels genuinely dangerous, as cops and onlookers alike stand dumbfounded at Kiritsis’ brazen gambit.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
But all that has left many small and medium-sized vendors dumbfounded as to why Saks has not kept its promise to pay its bills, while larger vendors and luxury conglomerates — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Richemont and Kering — have been getting paid.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Ron says, comically dumbfounded.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
The leaders of a group that searched for it at the end of June were dumbfounded when the King suddenly appeared on sonar, said Brendon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The Morning Show costars and friends of nearly three decades both learned something new about each other in a recent interview with LADbible, as Aniston, 56, was left dumbfounded after learning that Reese is not actually Witherspoon's name.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Accompanied by Danny Elfman’s jazzy score, the sequence feels genuinely dangerous, as cops and onlookers alike stand dumbfounded at Kiritsis’ brazen gambit.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
But all that has left many small and medium-sized vendors dumbfounded as to why Saks has not kept its promise to pay its bills, while larger vendors and luxury conglomerates — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Richemont and Kering — have been getting paid.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Cubs fans who have caught Brewers games of late have likely been dumbfounded by their performance.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounded
Adjective
-
When the former fed asked him how the script was proceeding, he was met with stunned silence.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Ashley was so stunned that she could be seen standing still for several seconds while trying to comprehend what was going on.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
People are always so amazed at how my 2-year-old can come into the studio and put her own paints on her palette and get her brush and just start going.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
5 Nov. 2025
-
And finally, the world was amazed.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After surviving the massacre and making a recovery that surprised even her doctors, Sophia returned home in time to celebrate her upcoming 13th birthday, a family spokesperson told CNN.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Getting Better Every Day When asked about the Blue Jays’ strategy, Shapiro’s answer surprised students expecting to hear about championships first.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The shocked passengers on the boat were also unharmed.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Ryan’s stepfather sat quietly, appearing shocked and betrayed.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In her work, Warner has dispelled myths such as the one that indigenous people, astonished by modern technologies, believed that cameras stole their souls.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
He was astonished and renewed by that quiet.—
Stephen Trimble,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The parents at this kind of show, of course, are less dumbstruck than the kids: The card is not floating but instead swinging on some string.—
Joseph Vukov,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2024
Adjective
-
Sholder appeared in the documentary and seemed more bewildered about all of this than anything else.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The boy looked up mid-sob, startled.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dumbfounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounded. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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